Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles

ABSTRACT

Method and system for projecting a first orthodontic related image at a predetermined location within a display unit, selecting a second orthodontic related image on the display unit, and projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit such that a difference between the first orthodontic related image and the second orthodontic related image is displayed at the predetermined area within the display unit are provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC §120 to pending application Ser. No. 10/788,635 entitled “Dental Data Mining” filed on Feb. 27, 2004, and to application Ser. No. 11/379,198 entitled “Method and System for Providing Indexing and Cataloguing of Orthodontic Related Treatment Profiles and Options” filed Apr. 18, 2006, the disclosure of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related generally to the field of orthodontics. More specifically, the present invention is related to methods and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles.

BACKGROUND

A primary objective of orthodontics is to realign patients' teeth to positions where the teeth function optimally and have an aesthetic appearance. The goal of a doctor is to take the patient from their current condition (“initial” or “starting dentition”) to a final condition (“treatment goal”). The result achieved is known as the “treatment outcome.” There may be many ways to achieve the goal and these are known as “treatment options.” The methodologies used by the doctor to get the patient to the goal are the known as the “treatment plan.”

Often times, doctors establish the goal as “ideal” and discontinue treatment when they are as close as they can possibly get to the ideal. However, more recently with the growing use of 3-D computer graphics software services and programs in dentistry, the doctor can actually establish a custom treatment goal specific to each individual patient, and this goal may be a limited treatment goal and not ideal in every component of the bite. This is important because if the doctor is able to achieve 100% of the intended limited goal, the treatment may still be deemed a success, whereas it may be possible that if the doctor only achieves 75% of a completely “ideal” treatment goal, the treatment might not be deemed a success even though the amount of measured improvement on an absolute scale in the latter situation might be higher than in the limited treatment situation.

Typically, appliances such as fixed braces and wires are applied to a patient's teeth to gradually reposition them from an initial arrangement to a final arrangement. The diagnosis and treatment planning process of orthodontic cases can be imprecise as the final dentition of a patient is based on the knowledge and expertise of the treating doctor in assembling various parameters in an assessment of each patient's condition and in a determination of a final position for each tooth. Different clinicians will vary in their definitions of individual orthodontic parameters and their definition of how a case should ideally be treated will also often vary.

To overcome some of these subjective issues, various indices have been used to more objectively define a patient's initial dentition and final outcome. For example, the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) index identifies how far a tooth is from a good occlusion. A score is assigned to various occlusal traits which make up a malocclusion. The individual scores are summed to obtain an overall total, representing the degree a case deviates from ideal functional alignment and occlusion. The PAR grader is then calibrated to a known standard set of orthodontic conditions so this individual is able to rate new cases similarly.

In PAR, a score of zero would indicate ideal alignment and positioning of all orthodontic dental components as defined by generally accepted occlusal and aesthetic relationships the orthodontic community has adopted, and higher scores would indicate increased levels of irregularity. The overall score can be recorded on both pre- and post-treatment dental casts. The difference between these scores represents the degree of improvement as a result of orthodontic intervention. In addition to the PAR index, other indices may be used such as ICON, IOTN and ABO. These indices also rely on individual dental measurements in order to derive an assessment of deviation from an ideal.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have methods and systems to provide dynamic orthodontic related assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment profiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Method and system for projecting a first orthodontic related image at a predetermined location within a display unit, selecting a second orthodontic related image on the display unit, and projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit such that a difference between the first orthodontic related image and the second orthodontic related image is displayed at the predetermined area within the display unit are provided.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows one exemplary dental data mining system;

FIG. 1B shows an analysis of the performance of one or more dental appliances;

FIG. 1C shows various Movement Type data used in one embodiment of the data mining system;

FIG. 1D shows an analysis of the performance of one or more dental appliances;

FIGS. 1E-1F show various embodiments of a clusterizer to generate treatment plans;

FIG. 2A is a flowchart of a process of specifying a course of treatment including a subprocess for calculating aligner shapes in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2B is a flowchart of a process for calculating aligner shapes;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a subprocess for creating finite element models;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a subprocess for computing aligner changes;

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a subprocess for calculating changes in aligner shape;

FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a subprocess for calculating changes in aligner shape;

FIG. 5C is a flowchart of a subprocess for calculating changes in aligner shape;

FIG. 5D is a schematic illustrating the operation of the subprocess of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for computing shapes for sets of aligners;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a statistical root model;

FIG. 8 shows exemplary diagrams of root modeling;

FIG. 9 show exemplary diagrams of CT scan of teeth;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary user interface showing teeth;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the overall system for practicing the various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a tabular representation of the indexing system stored in the storage unit of FIG. 11 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a representation of possible treatment goals for any given orthodontic case in one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a matrix representation for the possible treatment goals shown in FIG. 13 formatted in accordance with the tabular representation shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates the lower arch length category for use in the indexing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates the selection process display for use in the indexing system for the identified primary concern as “buck teeth” in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary selection process display 1700 for capturing one component of the sagittal dimension discrepancy for the patient's right side in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary selection process display 1700 for capturing one component of the sagittal dimension discrepancy for the patient's left side in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary selection process display 1900 for capturing one component of the vertical dimension in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary selection process display 2000 for capturing one component of the horizontal/transverse dimension in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21, an exemplary selection process display 2100 for capturing one component of the arch length discrepancy category in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary selection process display 2200 for capturing another component of the arch length discrepancy category in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary patient summary display 2300 displayed on terminal 1101 for use in the indexing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a patient database 2400 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates the selection process for representative components for use in the indexing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary series of database addresses generated by combining the initial condition address with the treatment goal address in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary database for a patient in another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for identifying a dentition profile using the indexing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an example user interface display for initiating sample orthodontic case assessment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is an example user interface display for providing patient desired orthodontic treatment information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 31-34 are an example user interface displays for providing patient orthodontic condition information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 35A-35C are example user interface displays illustrating image selection and associated enlarged display at a predetermined area of the display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is an example user interface display providing treatment goals associated with the patient orthodontic condition information and patient desired orthodontic treatment information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is an example user interface display providing a similar sample treatment case corresponding to the selected treatment goal for the patient orthodontic condition information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 38A-38B illustrate a manual visual aid for patient orthodontic condition assessment and related treatment difficulty level in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is an example user interface display for illustrating treatment plan information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is an example user interface display for modifying a treatment plan parameter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 illustrates example treatment difficulty categories for orthodontic treatment plans in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 illustrates an example user interface for receiving user dental condition information in the system of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment procedure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment procedure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating image selection process for patient orthodontic condition determination in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating the treatment plan parameter modification in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Digital treatment plans are now possible with 3-dimensional orthodontic treatment planning tools such as ClinCheck®. from Align Technology, Inc. or other software available from eModels and OrthoCAD, among others. These technologies allow the clinician to use the actual patient's dentition as a starting point for customizing the treatment plan. The ClinCheck®. technology uses a patient-specific digital model to plot a treatment plan, and then use a scan of the achieved treatment outcome to assess the degree of success of the outcome as compared to the original digital treatment plan as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/640,439, filed Aug. 21, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,889 filed Aug. 22, 2002. The problem with the digital treatment plan and outcome assessment is the abundance of data and the lack of standards and efficient methodology by which to assess “treatment success” at an individual patient level. To analyze the information, a dental data mining system is used.

FIG. 1A shows one exemplary dental data mining system. In this system, dental treatment and outcome data sets 1 are stored in a database or information warehouse 2. The data is extracted by data mining software 3 that generates results 4. The data mining software can interrogate the information captured and/or updated in the database 2 and can generate an output data stream correlating a patient tooth problem with a dental appliance solution. Note that the output of the data mining software can be most advantageously, self-reflexively, fed as a subsequent input to at least the database and the data mining correlation algorithm.

The result of the data mining system of FIG. 1A is used for defining appliance configurations or changes to appliance configurations for incrementally moving teeth. The tooth movements will be those normally associated with orthodontic treatment, including translation in all three orthogonal directions, rotation of the tooth centerline in the two orthogonal directions with rotational axes perpendicular to a vertical centerline (“root angulation” and “torque”), as well as rotation of the tooth centerline in the orthodontic direction with an axis parallel to the vertical centerline (“pure rotation”).

In one embodiment, the data mining system captures the 3-D treatment planned movement, the start position and the final achieved dental position. The system compares the outcome to the plan, and the outcome can be achieved using any treatment methodology including removable appliances as well as fixed appliances such as orthodontic brackets and wires, or even other dental treatment such as comparing achieved to plan for orthognathic surgery, periodontics, restorative, among others.

In one embodiment, a teeth superimposition tool is used to match treatment files of each arch scan. The refinement scan is superimposed over the initial one to arrive at a match based upon tooth anatomy and tooth coordinate system. After teeth in the two arches are matched, the superimposition tool asks for a reference in order to relate the upper arch to the lower arch. When the option “statistical filtering” is selected, the superimposition tool measures the amount of movement for each tooth by first eliminating as reference the ones that move (determined by the difference in position between the current stage and the previous one) more than one standard deviation either above or below the mean of movement of all teeth. The remaining teeth are then selected as reference to measure movement of each tooth.

FIG. 1B shows an analysis of the performance of one or more dental appliances. “Achieved” movement is plotted against “Goal” movement in scatter graphs, and trend lines are generated. Scatter graphs are shown to demonstrate where all “scattered” data points are, and trend lines are generated to show the performance of the dental appliances. In one embodiment, trend lines are selected to be linear (they can be curvilinear); thus trend lines present as the “best fit” straight lines for all “scattered” data. The performance of the Aligners is represented as the slope of a trend line. The Y axis intercept models the incidental movement that occurs when wearing the Aligners. Predictability is measured by R² that is obtained from a regression computation of “Achieved” and “Goal” data.

FIG. 1C shows various Movement Type data used in one embodiment of the data mining system. Exemplary data sets cover Expansion/Constriction (+/−X Translation), Mesialization/Distalization (+/−Y Translation), Intrusion (−Z Translation), Extrusion (+Z Translation), Tip/Angulation (X Rotation), Torque/Inclination (Y Rotation), and Pure Rotation (Z Rotation).

FIG. 1D shows an analysis of the performance of one or more dental appliances. For the type of motion illustrated by FIG. 1D, the motion achieved is about 85% of targeted motion for that particular set of data.

As illustrated saliently in FIG. 1D, actual tooth movement generally lags targeted tooth movement at many stages. In the case of treatment with sequences of polymer appliances, such lags play an important role in treatment design, because both tooth movement and such negative outcomes as patient discomfort vary positively with the extent of the discrepancies.

In one embodiment, clinical parameters in steps such as 170 (FIG. 2A) and 232 (FIG. 2B) are made more precise by allowing for the statistical deviation of targeted from actual tooth position. For example, a subsequent movement target might be reduced because of a large calculated probability of currently targeted tooth movement not having been achieved adequately, with the result that there is a high probability the subsequent movement stage will need to complete work intended for an earlier stage. Similarly, targeted movement might overshoot desired positions especially in earlier stages so that expected actual movement is better controlled. This embodiment sacrifices the goal of minimizing round trip time in favor of achieving a higher probability of targeted end-stage outcome. This methodology is accomplished within treatment plans specific to clusters of similar patient cases.

Table 1 shows grouping of teeth in one embodiment. The sign convention of tooth movements is indicated in Table 2. Different tooth movements of the selected 60 arches were demonstrated in Table 3 with performance sorted by descending order. The appliance performance can be broken into 4 separate groups: high (79-85%), average (60-68%), below average (52-55%), and inadequate (24-47%). Table 4 shows ranking of movement predictability. Predictability is broken into 3 groups: highly predictable (0.76-0.82), predictable (0.43-0.63) and unpredictable (0.10-0.30). For the particular set of data, for example, the findings are as follows:

1. Incisor intrusion, and anterior intrusion performance are high. The range for incisor intrusion is about 1.7 mm, and for anterior intrusion is about 1.7 mm. These movements are highly predictable.

2. Canine intrusion, incisor torque, incisor rotation and anterior torque performance are average. The range for canine intrusion is about 1.3 mm, for incisor torque is about 34 degrees, for incisor rotation is about 69 degrees, and for anterior torque is about 34 degrees. These movements are either predictable or highly predictable.

3. Bicuspid tipping, bicuspid mesialization, molar rotation, and posterior expansion performance are below average. The range for bicuspid mesialization is about 1 millimeter, for bicuspid tipping is about 19 degrees, for molar rotation is about 27 degrees and for posterior expansion is about 2.8 millimeters. Bicuspid tipping and mesialization are unpredictable, whereas the rest are predictable movements.

4. Anterior and incisor extrusion, round teeth and bicuspid rotation, canine tipping, molar distalization, and posterior torque performance are inadequate. The range of anterior extrusion is about 1.7 millimeters, for incisor extrusion is about 1.5 mm, for round teeth rotation is about 67 degrees, for bicuspid rotation is about 63 degrees, for canine tipping is about 26 degrees, for molar distalization is about 2 millimeters, and for posterior torque is about 43 degrees. All are unpredictable movements except bicuspid rotation which is predictable.

TABLE 1 Studied groups of teeth Teeth Incisors #7, 8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25, 26 Canines #6, 11, 22, 27 Bicuspids #4, 5, 12, 13, 20, 21, 28, 29 Molars #2, 3, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 31 Anteriors #6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 Posteriors #2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31 Round #4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

TABLE 2 Sign convention of tooth movements Type of Movement X translation (−) is lingual (+) is buccal (Expansion/ Constriction) X rotation (Tipping) Upper & Lower right (−) is distal (+) is mesial quadrants Upper & Lower left (−) is mesial (+) is distal quadrants Y translation (Mesialization/ Distalization) Upper left & Lower (−) is distal (+) is mesial right quadrants Upper right & Lower (−) is mesial (+) is distal left quadrants Y rotation (Torquing) (−) is lingual crown (+) is buccal crown Z translation (−) is intrusion (+) is extrusion (Intrusion/Extrusion) Z rotation (−) is clockwise (+) is counterclockwise (Pure Rotation)

TABLE 3 Ranking of Performance Index of movement Performance Side Predict- Group Movement Model Index Effect ability Incisor Intrusion Linear 85% 0.03 0.82 Anterior Intrusion Linear 79% 0.03 0.76 Canine Intrusion Linear 68% −0.10 0.43 Incisor Torque Linear 67% 0.21 0.63 Anterior Torque Linear 62% 0.15 0.56 Incisor Rotation Linear 61% −0.09 0.76 Bicuspid Tipping Linear 55% 0.35 0.27 Molar Rotation Linear 52% 0.11 0.58 Posterior Expansion Linear 52% 0.11 0.48 Bicuspid Mesialization Linear 52% 0.00 0.30 Bicuspid Rotation Linear 47% 0.28 0.63 Molar Distalization Linear 43% 0.02 0.20 Canine Tipping Linear 42% 0.10 0.28 Posterior Torque Linear 42% 1.50 0.28 Round Rotation Linear 39% −0.14 0.27 Anterior Extrusion Linear 29% −0.02 0.13 Incisor Extrusion Linear 24% 0.02 0.10

TABLE 4 Ranking of movement predictability Performance Side Predict- Group Movement Model Index Effect ability Incisor Intrusion Linear 85% 0.03 0.82 Anterior Intrusion Linear 79% 0.03 0.76 Incisor Rotation Linear 61% −0.09 0.76 Incisor Torque Linear 67% 0.21 0.63 Bicuspid Rotation Linear 47% 0.28 0.63 Molar Rotation Linear 52% 0.11 0.58 Anterior Torque Linear 62% 0.15 0.56 Posterior Expansion Linear 52% 0.11 0.48 Canine Intrusion Linear 68% −0.10 0.43 Bicuspid Mesialization Linear 52% 0.00 0.30 Canine Tipping Linear 42% 0.10 0.28 Posterior Torque Linear 42% 1.50 0.28 Bicuspid Tipping Linear 55% 0.35 0.27 Round Rotation Linear 39% −0.14 0.27 Molar Distalization Linear 43% 0.02 0.20 Anterior Extrusion Linear 29% −0.02 0.13 Incisor Extrusion Linear 24% 0.02 0.10

In one embodiment, data driven analyzers may be applied. These data driven analyzers may incorporate a number of models such as parametric statistical models, non-parametric statistical models, clustering models, nearest neighbor models, regression methods, and engineered (artificial) neural networks. Prior to operation, data driven analyzers or models are built using one or more training sessions. The data used to build the analyzer or model in these sessions are typically referred to as training data. As data driven analyzers are developed by examining only training examples, the selection of the training data can significantly affect the accuracy and the learning speed of the data driven analyzer. One approach used heretofore generates a separate data set referred to as a test set for training purposes. The test set is used to avoid overfitting the model or analyzer to the training data. Overfitting refers to the situation where the analyzer has memorized the training data so well that it fails to fit or categorize unseen data. Typically, during the construction of the analyzer or model, the analyzer's performance is tested against the test set. The selection of the analyzer or model parameters is performed iteratively until the performance of the analyzer in classifying the test set reaches an optimal point. At this point, the training process is completed. An alternative to using an independent training and test set is to use a methodology called cross-validation. Cross-validation can be used to determine parameter values for a parametric analyzer or model for a non-parametric analyzer. In cross-validation, a single training data set is selected. Next, a number of different analyzers or models are built by presenting different parts of the training data as test sets to the analyzers in an iterative process. The parameter or model structure is then determined on the basis of the combined performance of all models or analyzers. Under the cross-validation approach, the analyzer or model is typically retrained with data using the determined optimal model structure.

In one embodiment, the data mining software 3 (FIG. 1A) can be a “spider” or “crawler” to grab data on the database 2 (FIG. 1A) for indexing. In one embodiment, clustering operations are performed to detect patterns in the data. In another embodiment, a neural network is used to recognize each pattern as the neural network is quite robust at recognizing dental treatment patterns. Once the treatment features have been characterized, the neural network then compares the input dental information with stored templates of treatment vocabulary known by the neural network recognizer, among others. The recognition models can include a Hidden Markov Model (HMM), a dynamic programming model, a neural network, a fuzzy logic, or a template matcher, among others. These models may be used singly or in combination.

Dynamic programming considers all possible paths of M “frames” through N points, subject to specified costs for making transitions from any point i to any given frame k to any point j at the next frame k+1. Because the best path from the current point to the next point is independent of what happens beyond that point, the minimum total cost [i(k), j(k+1)] of a path through i(k) ending at j(k+1) is the cost of the transition itself plus the cost of the minimum path to i(k). Preferably, the values of the predecessor paths can be kept in an M×N array, and the accumulated cost kept in a 2×N array to contain the accumulated costs of the possible immediately preceding column and the current column. However, this method requires significant computing resources.

Dynamic programming requires a tremendous amount of computation. For the recognizer to find the optimal time alignment between a sequence of frames and a sequence of node models, it must compare most frames against a plurality of node models. One method of reducing the amount of computation required for dynamic programming is to use pruning. Pruning terminates the dynamic programming of a given portion of dental treatment information against a given treatment model if the partial probability score for that comparison drops below a given threshold. This greatly reduces computation.

Considered to be a generalization of dynamic programming, a hidden Markov model is used in the preferred embodiment to evaluate the probability of occurrence of a sequence of observations O(l), O(2), . . . O(t), . . . , O(T), where each observation O(t) may be either a discrete symbol under the VQ approach or a continuous vector. The sequence of observations may be modeled as a probabilistic function of an underlying Markov chain having state transitions that are not directly observable.

In the preferred embodiment, the Markov model is used to model probabilities for sequences of treatment observations. The transitions between states are represented by a transition matrix A=[a(i,j)]. Each a(i,j) term of the transition matrix is the probability of making a transition to state j given that the model is in state i. The output symbol probability of the model is represented by a set of functions B=[b(j), where the b(j) term of the output symbol matrix is the function that when evaluated on a specified value O(t) returns the probability of outputting observation O(t), given that the model is in state j. The first state is always constrained to be the initial state for the first time frame of the Markov chain, only a prescribed set of left to right state transitions are possible. A predetermined final state is defined from which transitions to other states cannot occur.

In one embodiment, transitions are restricted to reentry of a state or entry to one of the next two states. Such transitions are defined in the model as transition probabilities. For example, a treatment pattern currently having a frame of feature signals in state 2 has a probability of reentering state 2 of a(2,2), a probability a(2,3) of entering state 3 and a probability of a(2,4)=1−a(2,2)−a(2,3) of entering state 4. The probability a(2,1) of entering state 1 or the probability a(2,5) of entering state 5 is zero and the sum of the probabilities a(2,1) through a(2,5) is one. Although the preferred embodiment restricts the flow graphs to the present state or to the next two states, one skilled in the art can build an HMM model with more flexible transition restrictions, although the sum of all the probabilities of transitioning from any state must still add up to one.

In each state j of the model, the current feature frame may be identified with one of a set of predefined output symbols or may be labeled probabilistically. In this case, the output symbol probability b(j) (O(t)) corresponds to the probability assigned by the model that the feature frame symbol is O(t). The model arrangement is a matrix A=[a(i,j)] of transition probabilities and a technique of computing B=[b(j) (O(t))].

In one embodiment, the Markov model is formed for a reference pattern from a plurality of sequences of training patterns and the output symbol probabilities are multivariate Gaussian function probability densities. The dental treatment information traverses through the feature extractor. During learning, the resulting feature vector series is processed by a parameter estimator, whose output is provided to the hidden Markov model. The hidden Markov model is used to derive a set of reference pattern templates, each template representative of an identified pattern in a vocabulary set of reference treatment patterns. The Markov model reference templates are next utilized to classify a sequence of observations into one of the reference patterns based on the probability of generating the observations from each Markov model reference pattern template. During recognition, the unknown pattern can then be identified as the reference pattern with the highest probability in the likelihood calculator.

The HMM template has a number of states, each having a discrete value. However, as treatment pattern features may have a dynamic pattern in contrast to a single value, the addition of a neural network at the front end of the HMM in an embodiment provides the capability of representing states with dynamic values. The input layer of the neural network comprises input neurons. The outputs of the input layer are distributed to all neurons in the middle layer. Similarly, the outputs of the middle layer are distributed to all output neurons, which output neurons correspond one-to one with internal states of the HMM. However, each output has transition probabilities to itself or to other outputs, thus forming a modified HMM. Each state of the thus formed HMM is capable of responding to a particular dynamic signal, resulting in a more robust HMM. Alternatively, the neural network can be used alone without resorting to the transition probabilities of the HMM architecture.

The output streams or results 4 of FIG. 1A are used as feedback in improving dental appliance design and/or usage by doctors. For example, the data mining results can be used to evaluate performance based on staging approaches, to compare appliance performance indices based on treatment approaches, and to evaluate performance comparing different attachment shapes and positions on teeth.

The ability to study tooth-specific efficacy and product performance for large clusters of treatment outcomes enables statistically significant comparisons to be made between two or more populations of cases. In the event that the two clusters studied contain differences in treatment approach, appliance design, or manufacturing protocol, the differences seen in the performance of the product as exhibited by the data output, can be attributed to the approach, design, or manufacturing protocol. The end result is a feedback mechanism that enables either the clinician or the manufacturer the ability to optimize the product design and usage based on performance data from a significantly large sample size using objective measurable data.

The theory of orthodontic treatment is not universally agreed upon, and actual treatment and outcomes are subject to additional uncertainties of measurement of patient variables, of relationships to unmeasured patient variables, as well as of varying patient compliance. As a result, different clinicians might prefer different treatment plans for a single patient. Thus, a single treatment plan may not be accepted by every clinician since there is no universally accepted “correct” treatment plan.

The next few embodiments allow greater clinician satisfaction and greater patient satisfaction by tailoring treatment parameters to preferences of clinicians. The system detects differences in treatment preferences by statistical observation of the treatment histories of clinicians. For example, clinicians vary in how likely they would be to perform bicuspid extraction in cases with comparable crowding. Even when there is not a sufficient record of past treatments for a given clinician, clustering may be performed on other predictor variables such as geographical location, variables related to training, or size and nature of practice, to observe statistically significant differences in treatment parameters.

Data mining can discover statistically significant patterns of different treatment outcomes achieved by different clinicians for comparable patients. For example, patient cases clustered together might have systematically fewer complications with one clinician as compared to another. Such a difference detected by the data mining tool might be used as a flag for feedback to the more poorly performing clinician as well as a flag for solicitation of treatment differences used by the better performing clinician.

In one embodiment, clustering techniques are used with previously completed cases to categorize treatment complications and outcomes. Probability models of risk are then built within each cluster. New cases are then allocated to the same clusters based on similarity of pre-treatment variables. The risks within each cluster of patients with completed treatments are then used with new cases to predict treatment outcomes and risks of complications. High-risk patients are then flagged for special attention, possibly including additional steps in treatment plan or additional clinical intervention.

In another embodiment, practitioners are clustered into groups by observed clinician treatment preferences, and treatment parameters are adjusted within each group to coincide more closely with observed treatment preferences. Practitioners without observed histories are then assigned to groups based on similarity of known variables to those within clusters with known treatment histories.

FIG. 1E shows an exemplary process for clusterizing practices. First, the process clusterizes treatment practice based on clinician treatment history such as treatment preferences, outcomes, and demographic and practice variables (20). Next, the system models preferred clinical constraints within each cluster (22). Next, the system assigns clinicians without treatment history to clusters in 20 based on demographic and practice variables (24). In one embodiment, the system performs process 100 (see FIG. 2A) separately within each cluster, using cluster-specific clinical constraints (26). Additionally, the system updates clusters and cluster assignments as new treatment and outcome data arrives (28).

FIG. 1F shows another embodiment of a data mining system to generate proposed treatments. First, the system identifies/clusterizes patient histories having detailed follow-up (such as multiple high-resolution scans), based on detailed follow-up data, diagnosis, treatment parameters and outcomes, and demographic variables (40). Within each cluster, the system models discrepancies between intended position and actual positions obtained from follow-up data (42). Further, within each cluster, the system models risk for special undesirable outcomes (44). At a second tier of clustering, patient histories with less detailed follow-up data are clusterized based on available variables. The second-tier clustering is partial enough that each of the larger number of second tier clusters can either be assigned to clusters calculated in 40 or else considered a new cluster (46). The system refines step 42 models with additional records from step 46 clusters (48). It can also refine step 44 models with additional records from step 48 clusters (50). At a third tier of clustering, the system then assigns new patients to step 46 clusters based on diagnosis, demographic, and initial physical (52). Within each step 52 cluster, the system models expected discrepancies between intended position and actual positions (54). From step 54, the system uses revised expected position information where relevant (including 232 and 250, FIG. 2B) (67). Additionally, within each step 52 cluster, the system models risk for undesirable outcomes (56). From step 56, the system also flags cases that require special attention and clinical constraints (as in 204 and 160, FIGS. 2B and 2A) (69). The process then customizes treatment plan to each step 52 cluster (58). Next, the system iteratively collects data (61) and loops back to identify/clusterize patient histories (40). Additionally, clusters can be revised and reassigned (63). The system also continually identifies clusters without good representation for additional follow-up analysis (65).

In clinical treatment settings, it is not cost-effective to obtain or process the full high-resolution data possible at every stage of tooth movement. For example:

-   -   Patients may use several appliances between visits to         clinicians.     -   A given patient may submit only one set of tooth impressions.     -   Radiation concerns may limit the number of CT or X-Ray scans         used.     -   Clinicians generally do not have the time to report detailed         spatial information on each tooth at each visit.

Due to these and other limitations, treatment planning is necessarily made based on partial information.

In one embodiment, missing information is approximated substantially by matching predictive characteristics between patients and a representative sample for which detailed follow-up information is collected. In this case, patients are flagged based on poorly anticipated treatment outcomes for requests for follow-up information, such as collection and analysis of additional sets of tooth impressions. Resulting information is then used to refine patient clusters and treatment of patients later assigned to the clusters.

In general, patient data is scanned and the data is analyzed using the data mining system described above. A treatment plan is proposed by the system for the dental practitioner to approve. The dental practitioner can accept or request modifications to the treatment plan. Once the treatment plan is approved, manufacturing of appliance(s) can begin.

FIG. 2A illustrates the general flow of an exemplary process 100 for defining and generating repositioning appliances for orthodontic treatment of a patient. The process 100 includes the methods, and is suitable for the apparatus, of the present invention, as will be described. The computational steps of the process are advantageously implemented as computer program modules for execution on one or more conventional digital computers.

As an initial step, a mold or a scan of patient's teeth or mouth tissue is acquired (110). This step generally involves taking casts of the patient's teeth and gums, and may in addition or alternately involve taking wax bites, direct contact scanning, x-ray imaging, tomographic imaging, sonographic imaging, and other techniques for obtaining information about the position and structure of the teeth, jaws, gums and other orthodontically relevant tissue. From the data so obtained, a digital data set is derived that represents the initial (that is, pretreatment) arrangement of the patient's teeth and other tissues.

The initial digital data set, which may include both raw data from scanning operations and data representing surface models derived from the raw data, is processed to segment the tissue constituents from each other (step 120). In particular, in this step, data structures that digitally represent individual tooth crowns are produced. Advantageously, digital models of entire teeth are produced, including measured or extrapolated hidden surfaces and root structures.

The desired final position of the teeth—that is, the desired and intended end result of orthodontic treatment—can be received from a clinician in the form of a prescription, can be calculated from basic orthodontic principles, or can be extrapolated computationally from a clinical prescription (step 130). With a specification of the desired final positions of the teeth and a digital representation of the teeth themselves, the final position and surface geometry of each tooth can be specified (step 140) to form a complete model of the teeth at the desired end of treatment. Generally, in this step, the position of every tooth is specified. The result of this step is a set of digital data structures that represents an orthodontically correct repositioning of the modeled teeth relative to presumed-stable tissue. The teeth and tissue are both represented as digital data.

Having both a beginning position and a final position for each tooth, the process next defines a tooth path for the motion of each tooth. In one embodiment, the tooth paths are optimized in the aggregate so that the teeth are moved in the quickest fashion with the least amount of round-tripping to bring the teeth from their initial positions to their desired final positions. (Round-tripping is any motion of a tooth in any direction other than directly toward the desired final position. Round-tripping is sometimes necessary to allow teeth to move past each other.) The tooth paths are segmented. The segments are calculated so that each tooth's motion within a segment stays within threshold limits of linear and rotational translation. In this way, the end points of each path segment can constitute a clinically viable repositioning, and the aggregate of segment end points constitute a clinically viable sequence of tooth positions, so that moving from one point to the next in the sequence does not result in a collision of teeth.

The threshold limits of linear and rotational translation are initialized, in one implementation, with default values based on the nature of the appliance to be used. More individually tailored limit values can be calculated using patient-specific data. The limit values can also be updated based on the result of an appliance-calculation (step 170, described later), which may determine that at one or more points along one or more tooth paths, the forces that can be generated by the appliance on the then-existing configuration of teeth and tissue is incapable of effecting the repositioning that is represented by one or more tooth path segments. With this information, the subprocess defining segmented paths (step 150) can recalculate the paths or the affected subpaths.

At various stages of the process, and in particular after the segmented paths have been defined, the process can, and generally will, interact with a clinician responsible for the treatment of the patient (step 160). Clinician interaction can be implemented using a client process programmed to receive tooth positions and models, as well as path information from a server computer or process in which other steps of process 100 are implemented. The client process is advantageously programmed to allow the clinician to display an animation of the positions and paths and to allow the clinician to reset the final positions of one or more of the teeth and to specify constraints to be applied to the segmented paths. If the clinician makes any such changes, the subprocess of defining segmented paths (step 150) is performed again.

The segmented tooth paths and associated tooth position data are used to calculate clinically acceptable appliance configurations (or successive changes in appliance configuration) that will move the teeth on the defined treatment path in the steps specified by the path segments (step 170). Each appliance configuration represents a step along the treatment path for the patient. The steps are defined and calculated so that each discrete position can follow by straight-line tooth movement or simple rotation from the tooth positions achieved by the preceding discrete step and so that the amount of repositioning required at each step involves an orthodontically optimal amount of force on the patient's dentition. As with the path definition step, this appliance calculation step can include interactions and even iterative interactions with the clinician (step 160). The operation of a process step 200 implementing this step will be described more fully below.

Having calculated appliance definitions, the process 100 can proceed to the manufacturing step (step 180) in which appliances defined by the process are manufactured, or electronic or printed information is produced that can be used by a manual or automated process to define appliance configurations or changes to appliance configurations.

FIG. 2B illustrates a process 200 implementing the appliance-calculation step (FIG. 2A, step 170) for polymeric shell aligners of the kind described in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,893. Inputs to the process include an initial aligner shape 202, various control parameters 204, and a desired end configuration for the teeth at the end of the current treatment path segment 206. Other inputs include digital models of the teeth in position in the jaw, models of the jaw tissue, and specifications of an initial aligner shape and of the aligner material. Using the input data, the process creates a finite element model of the aligner, teeth and tissue, with the aligner in place on the teeth (step 210). Next, the process applies a finite element analysis to the composite finite element model of aligner, teeth and tissue (step 220). The analysis runs until an exit condition is reached, at which time the process evaluates whether the teeth have reached the desired end position for the current path segment, or a position sufficiently close to the desired end position (step 230). If an acceptable end position is not reached by the teeth, the process calculates a new candidate aligner shape (step 240). If an acceptable end position is reached, the motions of the teeth calculated by the finite elements analysis are evaluated to determine whether they are orthodontically acceptable (step 232). If they are not, the process also proceeds to calculate a new candidate aligner shape (step 240). If the motions are orthodontically acceptable and the teeth have reached an acceptable position, the current aligner shape is compared to the previously calculated aligner shapes. If the current shape is the best solution so far (decision step 250), it is saved as the best candidate so far (step 260). If not, it is saved in an optional step as a possible intermediate result (step 252). If the current aligner shape is the best candidate so far, the process determines whether it is good enough to be accepted (decision step 270). If it is, the process exits. Otherwise, the process continues and calculates another candidate shape (step 240) for analysis.

The finite element models can be created using computer program application software available from a variety of vendors. For creating solid geometry models, computer aided engineering (CAE) or computer aided design (CAD) programs can be used, such as the AutoCAD®. software products available from Autodesk, Inc., of San Rafael, Calif. For creating finite element models and analyzing them, program products from a number of vendors can be used, including the PolyFEM product available from CADSI of Coralville, Iowa, the Pro/Mechanica simulation software available from Parametric Technology Corporation of Waltham, Mass., the I-DEAS design software products available from Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the MSC/NASTRAN product available from MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation of Los Angeles, Calif.

FIG. 3 shows a process 300 of creating a finite element model that can be used to perform step 210 of the process 200 (FIG. 2). Input to the model creation process 300 includes input data 302 describing the teeth and tissues and input data 304 describing the aligner. The input data describing the teeth 302 include the digital models of the teeth; digital models of rigid tissue structures, if available; shape and viscosity specifications for a highly viscous fluid modeling the substrate tissue in which the teeth are embedded and to which the teeth are connected, in the absence of specific models of those tissues; and boundary conditions specifying the immovable boundaries of the model elements. In one implementation, the model elements include only models of the teeth, a model of a highly viscous embedding substrate fluid, and boundary conditions that define, in effect, a rigid container in which the modeled fluid is held. Note that fluid characteristics may differ by patient clusters, for example as a function of age.

A finite element model of the initial configuration of the teeth and tissue is created (step 310) and optionally cached for reuse in later iterations of the process (step 320). As was done with the teeth and tissue, a finite element model is created of the polymeric shell aligner (step 330). The input data for this model includes data specifying the material of which the aligner is made and the shape of the aligner (data input 304).

The model aligner is then computationally manipulated to place it over the modeled teeth in the model jaw to create a composite model of an in-place aligner (step 340). Optionally, the forces required to deform the aligner to fit over the teeth, including any hardware attached to the teeth, are computed and used as a figure of merit in measuring the acceptability of the particular aligner configuration. Optionally, the tooth positions used are as estimated from a probabilistic model based on prior treatment steps and other patient information. In a simpler alternative, however, the aligner deformation is modeled by applying enough force to its insides to make it large enough to fit over the teeth, placing the model aligner over the model teeth in the composite model, setting the conditions of the model teeth and tissue to be infinitely rigid, and allowing the model aligner to relax into position over the fixed teeth. The surfaces of the aligner and the teeth are modeled to interact without friction at this stage, so that the aligner model achieves the correct initial configuration over the model teeth before finite element analysis is begun to find a solution to the composite model and compute the movement of the teeth under the influence of the distorted aligner.

FIG. 4 shows a process 400 for calculating the shape of a next aligner that can be used in the aligner calculations, step 240 of process 200 (FIG. 2B). A variety of inputs are used to calculate the next candidate aligner shape. These include inputs 402 of data generated by the finite element analysis solution of the composite model and data 404 defined by the current tooth path. The data 402 derived from the finite element analysis includes the amount of real elapsed time over which the simulated repositioning of the teeth took place; the actual end tooth positions calculated by the analysis; the maximum linear and torsional force applied to each tooth; the maximum linear and angular velocity of each tooth. From the input path information, the input data 404 includes the initial tooth positions for the current path segment, the desired tooth positions at the end of the current path segment, the maximum allowable displacement velocity for each tooth, and the maximum allowable force of each kind for each tooth.

If a previously evaluated aligner was found to violate one or more constraints, additional input data 406 can optionally be used by the process 400. This data 406 can include information identifying the constraints violated by, and any identified suboptimal performance of, the previously evaluated aligner. Additionally, input data 408 relating to constraints violated by, and suboptimal performance of previous dental devices can be used by the process 400.

Having received the initial input data (step 420), the process iterates over the movable teeth in the model. (Some of the teeth may be identified as, and constrained to be, immobile.) If the end position and dynamics of motion of the currently selected tooth by the previously selected aligner is acceptable (“yes” branch of decision step 440), the process continues by selecting for consideration a next tooth (step 430) until all teeth have been considered (“done” branch from step 430 to step 470). Otherwise (“no” branch from step 440), a change in the aligner is calculated in the region of the currently selected tooth (step 450). The process then moves back to select the next current tooth (step 430) as has been described.

When all of the teeth have been considered, the aggregate changes made to the aligner are evaluated against previously defined constraints (step 470), examples of which have already been mentioned. Constraints can be defined with reference to a variety of further considerations, such as manufacturability. For example, constraints can be defined to set a maximum or minimum thickness of the aligner material, or to set a maximum or minimum coverage of the aligner over the crowns of the teeth. If the aligner constraints are satisfied, the changes are applied to define a new aligner shape (step 490). Otherwise, the changes to the aligner are revised to satisfy the constraints (step 480), and the revised changes are applied to define the new aligner shape (step 490).

FIG. 5A illustrates one implementation of the step of computing an aligner change in a region of a current tooth (step 450). In this implementation, a rule-based inference engine 456 is used to process the input data previously described (input 454) and a set of rules 452 a-452 n in a rule base of rules 452. The inference engine 456 and the rules 452 define a production system which, when applied to the factual input data, produces a set of output conclusions that specify the changes to be made to the aligner in the region of the current tooth (output 458).

Rules 452 a . . . 452 n have the conventional two-part form: an if-part defining a condition and a then-part defining a conclusion or action that is asserted if the condition is satisfied. Conditions can be simple or they can be complex conjunctions or disjunctions of multiple assertions. An exemplary set of rules, which defines changes to be made to the aligner, includes the following: if the motion of the tooth is too fast, add driving material to the aligner opposite the desired direction of motion; if the motion of the tooth is too slow, add driving material to overcorrect the position of the tooth; if the tooth is too far short of the desired end position, add material to overcorrect; if the tooth has been moved too far past the desired end position, add material to stiffen the aligner where the tooth moves to meet it; if a maximum amount of driving material has been added, add material to overcorrect the repositioning of the tooth and do not add driving material; if the motion of the tooth is in a direction other than the desired direction, remove and add material so as to redirect the tooth.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C, an absolute configuration of the aligner is computed, rather than an incremental difference. As shown in FIG. 5B, a process 460 computes an absolute configuration for an aligner in a region of a current tooth. Using input data that has already been described, the process computes the difference between the desired end position and the achieved end position of the current tooth (462). Using the intersection of the tooth center line with the level of the gum tissue as the point of reference, the process computes the complement of the difference in all six degrees of freedom of motion, namely three degrees of translation and three degrees of rotation (step 464). Next, the model tooth is displaced from its desired end position by the amounts of the complement differences (step 466), which is illustrated in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5D shows a planar view of an illustrative model aligner 60 over an illustrative model tooth 62. The tooth is in its desired end position and the aligner shape is defined by the tooth in this end position. The actual motion of the tooth calculated by the finite element analysis is illustrated as placing the tooth in position 64 rather than in the desired position 62. A complement of the computed end position is illustrated as position 66. The next step of process 460 (FIG. 5B) defines the aligner in the region of the current tooth in this iteration of the process by the position of the displaced model tooth (step 468) calculated in the preceding step (466). This computed aligner configuration in the region of the current tooth is illustrated in FIG. 5D as shape 68 which is defined by the repositioned model tooth in position 66.

A further step in process 460, which can also be implemented as a rule 452 (FIG. 5A), is shown in FIG. 5C. To move the current tooth in the direction of its central axis, the size of the model tooth defining that region of the aligner, or the amount of room allowed in the aligner for the tooth, is made smaller in the area away from which the process has decided to move the tooth (step 465).

As shown in FIG. 6, the process 200 (FIG. 2B) of computing the shape for an aligner for a step in a treatment path is one step in a process 600 of computing the shapes of a series of aligners. This process 600 begins with an initialization step 602 in which initial data, control and constraint values are obtained.

When an aligner configuration has been found for each step or segment of the treatment path (step 604), the process 600 determines whether all of the aligners are acceptable (step 606). If they are, the process is complete. Otherwise, the process optionally undertakes a set of steps 610 in an attempt to calculate a set of acceptable aligners. First, one or more of the constraints on the aligners is relaxed (step 612). Then, for each path segment with an unacceptable aligner, the process 200 (FIG. 2B) of shaping an aligner is performed with the new constraints (step 614). If all the aligners are now acceptable, the process 600 exits (step 616).

Aligners may be unacceptable for a variety of reasons, some of which are handled by the process. For example, if any impossible movements were required (decision step 620), that is, if the shape calculation process 200 (FIG. 2B) was required to effect a motion for which no rule or adjustment was available, the process 600 proceeds to execute a module that calculates the configuration of a hardware attachment to the subject tooth to which forces can be applied to effect the required motion (step 640). Because adding hardware can have an effect that is more than local, when hardware is added to the model, the outer loop of the process 600 is executed again (step 642).

If no impossible movements were required (“no” branch from step 620), the process transfers control to a path definition process (such as step 150, FIG. 2A) to redefine those parts of the treatment path having unacceptable aligners (step 630). This step can include both changing the increments of tooth motion, i.e., changing the segmentation, on the treatment path, changing the path followed by one or more teeth in the treatment path, or both. After the treatment path has been redefined, the outer loop of the process is executed again (step 632). The recalculation is advantageously limited to recalculating only those aligners on the redefined portions of the treatment path. If all the aligners are now acceptable, the process exits (step 634). If unacceptable aligners still remain, the process can be repeated until an acceptable set of aligners is found or an iteration limit is exceeded (step 650). At this point, as well as at other points in the processes that are described in this specification, such as at the computation of additional hardware (step 640), the process can interact with a human operator, such as a clinician or technician, to request assistance (step 652). Assistance that an operator provides can include defining or selecting suitable attachments to be attached to a tooth or a bone, defining an added elastic element to provide a needed force for one or more segments of the treatment path, suggesting an alteration to the treatment path, either in the motion path of a tooth or in the segmentation of the treatment path, and approving a deviation from or relaxation of an operative constraint.

As was mentioned above, the process 600 is defined and parameterized by various items of input data (step 602). In one implementation, this initializing and defining data includes the following items: an iteration limit for the outer loop of the overall process; specification of figures of merit that are calculated to determine whether an aligner is good enough (see FIG. 2B, step 270); a specification of the aligner material; a specification of the constraints that the shape or configuration of an aligner must satisfy to be acceptable; a specification of the forces and positioning motions and velocities that are orthodontically acceptable; an initial treatment path, which includes the motion path for each tooth and a segmentation of the treatment path into segments, each segment to be accomplished by one aligner; a specification of the shapes and positions of any anchors installed on the teeth or otherwise; and a specification of a model for the jaw bone and other tissues in or on which the teeth are situated (in the implementation being described, this model consists of a model of a viscous substrate fluid in which the teeth are embedded and which has boundary conditions that essentially define a container for the fluid).

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a statistical root model. As shown therein, using the scanning processes described above, a scanned upper portion 701 of a tooth is identified. The scanned upper portion, including the crown, is then supplemented with a modeled 3D root. The 3D model of the root can be statistically modeled. The 3D model of the root 702 and the 3D model of the upper portion 700 together form a complete 3D model of a tooth.

FIG. 8 shows exemplary diagrams of root modeling, as enhanced using additional dental information. In FIG. 8, the additional dental information is X-ray information. An X-ray image 710 of teeth is scanned to provide a 2D view of the complete tooth shapes. An outline of a target tooth is identified in the X-Ray image. The model 712 as developed in FIG. 7 is modified in accordance with the additional information. In one embodiment, the tooth model of FIG. 7 is morphed to form a new model 714 that conforms with the X-ray data.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary diagram of a CT scan of teeth. In this embodiment, the roots are derived directly from a high-resolution CBCT scan of the patient. Scanned roots can then be applied to crowns derived from an impression, or used with the existing crowns extracted from Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) data. A CBCT single scan gives 3D data and multiple forms of X-ray-like data. PVS impressions are avoided.

In one embodiment, a cone beam x-ray source and a 2D area detector scans the patient's dental anatomy, preferably over a 360 degree angular range and along its entire length, by any one of various methods wherein the position of the area detector is fixed relative to the source, and relative rotational and translational movement between the source and object provides the scanning (irradiation of the object by radiation energy). As a result of the relative movement of the cone beam source to a plurality of source positions (i.e., “views”) along the scan path, the detector acquires a corresponding plurality of sequential sets of cone beam projection data (also referred to herein as cone beam data or projection data), each set of cone beam data being representative of x-ray attenuation caused by the object at a respective one of the source positions.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary user interface showing the erupted teeth, which can be shown with root information in another embodiment. Each tooth is individually adjustable using a suitable handle. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the handle allows an operator to move the tooth in three-dimensions with six degrees of freedom.

The teeth movement is guided in part using a root-based sequencing system. In one embodiment, the movement is constrained by a surface area constraint, while in another embodiment, the movement is constrained by a volume constraint.

In one embodiment, the system determines a surface area for each tooth model. The system then sums all surface areas for all tooth models to be moved. Next, the system sums all surface areas of all tooth models on the arch. For each stage of teeth movement, the system checks that a predetermined area ratio or constraint is met while the tooth models are moved. In one implementation, the constraint can be to ensure that the surface areas of moving teeth are less than the total surface areas of teeth on an arch supporting the teeth being moved. If the ratio is greater than a particular number such as 50%, the system indicates an error signal to an operator to indicate that the teeth should be moved on a slower basis.

In another embodiment, the system determines the volume for each tooth model. The system then sums the volumes for all tooth models being moved. Next, the system determines the total volume of all tooth models on the arch. For each stage of teeth movement, the system checks that a predetermined volume ratio or constraint is met while the tooth models are moved. In one implementation, the constraint can be to ensure that the volume for moving teeth is less than the volume of all teeth on an arch supporting the teeth being moved. If the ratio is greater than a particular number such as 50%, the system indicates an error signal to an operator to indicate that the teeth should be moved on a slower basis.

Optionally, other features are added to the tooth model data sets to produce desired features in the aligners. For example, it may be desirable to add digital wax patches to define cavities or recesses to maintain a space between the aligner and particular regions of the teeth or jaw. It may also be desirable to add digital wax patches to define corrugated or other structural forms to create regions having particular stiffness or other structural properties. In manufacturing processes that rely on generation of positive models to produce the repositioning appliance, adding a wax patch to the digital model will generate a positive mold that has the same added wax patch geometry. This can be done globally in defining the base shape of the aligners or in the calculation of particular aligner shapes. One feature that can be added is a rim around the gumline, which can be produced by adding a digital model wire at the gumline of the digital model teeth from which the aligner is manufactured. When an aligner is manufactured by pressure fitting polymeric material over a positive physical model of the digital teeth, the wire along the gumlines causes the aligner to have a rim around it providing additional stiffness along the gumline.

In another optional manufacturing technique, two sheets of material are pressure fit over the positive tooth model, where one of the sheets is cut along the apex arch of the aligner and the other is overlaid on top. This provides a double thickness of aligner material along the vertical walls of the teeth.

The changes that can be made to the design of an aligner are constrained by the manufacturing technique that will be used to produce it. For example, if the aligner will be made by pressure fitting a polymeric sheet over a positive model, the thickness of the aligner is determined by the thickness of the sheet. As a consequence, the system will generally adjust the performance of the aligner by changing the orientation of the model teeth, the sizes of parts of the model teeth, the position and selection of attachments, and the addition or removal of material (e.g., adding wires or creating dimples) to change the structure of the aligner. The system can optionally adjust the aligner by specifying that one or more of the aligners are to be made of a sheet of a thickness other than the standard one, to provide more or less force to the teeth. On the other hand, if the aligner will be made by a stereo lithography process, the thickness of the aligner can be varied locally, and structural features such as rims, dimples, and corrugations can be added without modifying the digital model of the teeth.

The system can also be used to model the effects of more traditional appliances such as retainers and braces and therefore be used to generate optimal designs and treatment programs for particular patients.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the overall indexing system 1100 for practicing the various embodiments of the present invention. The indexing system 1100 in one embodiment includes a terminal 1101, which may be configured as a personal computer, workstation, or mainframe, and which includes a user interface input device 1103 and a user interface output device 1105, a storage unit 1107, and a central server 1109.

Referring to FIG. 11, the user interface input device 1103 may include a keyboard and may further include a pointing devices and/or a scanner, including x-ray or intra-oral scanner. The pointing device may be an indirect pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, touchpad, or graphics tablet, or a direct pointing device such as a touchscreen incorporated into the user interface output device 1105. Other types of user interface input devices, such as voice recognition systems, may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the user interface output device 1105 may include a printer and a display subsystem, which includes a display controller and a display device coupled to the controller. The display device may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel device such as a liquid crystal display, or a projection device. The display subsystem may also provide nonvisual display such as audio output.

The indexing system 1100 shown in FIG. 11 also includes the data storage unit 1107 which is configured to, under the access and control of either a central server 1109 or a client application, to maintain the basic programming and data constructs that provide the functionality of the present invention. Software is stored in storage unit 1107 which may include a memory unit and file storage unit. The memory unit may include a main random access memory (RAM) for storage of instructions and data during program execution and a read-only memory (ROM) in which fixed instructions are stored.

The file storage unit of the data storage unit 1107 may provide persistent (nonvolatile) storage for program and data files, and typically includes at least one hard disk drive and at least one CD-ROM drive (with associated removable media). There may also be other devices such as a floppy disk drive and optical drives (all with their associated removable media). Additionally, the file storage unit may include drives of the type with removable media cartridges, such as hard disk cartridges and flexible disk cartridges. One or more of the drives may be located at a remote location, such as in central server 1109 on a local area network or at a site on the Internet's World Wide Web or the entire system may be a stand-alone software application resident on the user's system.

In one aspect of the present invention, the central server 1109 may be configured to communicate with the terminal 1101 and data storage unit 1107 to access software stored in the data storage unit 1107 based on and in response to the input received from terminal 1101, and to perform additional processing based on procedures and/or routines in accordance with the instructions or input information received from the terminal 1101.

Referring back to FIG. 11, the indexing system 1100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention organizes orthodontic needs by the most common configurations of orthodontic discrepancies in the different dimensions: sagittal, vertical, horizontal/transverse, and arch length. The categories may be expanded to specifically capture other components such as facial profile, individual dental configurations, dynamic functional relationships, and surrounding soft tissue conditions; however, discrepancies in these four categories capture a significant portion of orthodontic related dental problems or concerns. Within each category, there may be a predetermined number of individual components to characterize the potential conditions for that dimension. For each condition, a predetermined combination of different possible conditions may be created. This collection of predefined combinations for each component, where each component belongs to one of the four main categories described, in one embodiment defines a matrix such that any patient at any time point may be defined as a specific address within the matrix. Both the matrix and address matrix may be stored in storage unit 1107.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary tabular representation of the indexing system matrix stored in the storage unit 1107 of FIG. 11 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary table 1200 of FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified version of the possible conditions for one component within each of the four categories.

Referring to FIG. 12, the table 1200 includes a category field 1201, a reference component field 1202, and the pre-defined options field 1203. Table 1200 also includes a number of options field 1204. The category field 1201 in one embodiment includes the categories for which reference dentition condition information is stored. In the exemplary embodiment, the categories may include: sagittal, vertical, horizontal, and arch length. In this exemplary embodiment, the reference component field 1202 includes one common component within each dimension by which malocclusion is judged. The common pre-defined options field 1203 includes the various levels of malocclusion for that dimension of the category. For example, the common malocclusions for the right canine component of the sagittal category are: Full class 2+ (greater than full cusp Class 2), Full (Cusp) Class 2, Partial Class 2 (also called end-on Class 2), and so on. Within each dimensional component selection is also a selection for “normal.”

Referring to FIG. 12, the number of options field 1204 in one embodiment includes the number of possible reference conditions in each category, and also a total number of possible combinations of reference conditions. For example, the sagittal category has seven (7) possible reference conditions for the canine relationship component and the vertical category has seven (7) reference conditions for the anterior overbite component. The example shown yields 7×7×7×7=2401 possible combinations of reference conditions for the four components, as shown in table 1200 of FIG. 12. In one embodiment, each of these 2,401 patient case combinations is stored in a database in storage unit 1107 (FIG. 11), for example, by the central server 1109. Since there can be numerous components used to describe each of the four main orthodontic dimensions and not just one component per dimension as illustrated, in practice, the total number of combinations that can be used to describe a patient may be substantially higher, but at the same time, will be a finite number such that it may be indexed, catalogued, and queried as described in FIG. 11.

In reference to the index table 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12, an identifier may be composed of a four-position, or “four-bit” matrix: ABCD. In this four-bit matrix, in one embodiment of the present invention, the “A” position in the matrix corresponds to the sagittal dimension, the “B” position in the matrix corresponds to the vertical dimension, the “C” position in the matrix corresponds to the horizontal dimension, and the “D” position in the matrix corresponds to the arch length dimension.

The actual number or letter in the position of each “bit” of the matrix may be associated with the corresponding condition within the category. For example, referring again to the exemplary table 1200 of FIG. 12, an identifier of 3256 represents: a right canine partial Class 2, with moderate anterior deep bite, upper midline to the left 0-1 mm, and lower moderate crowding. This “3256” identifier corresponds to an address in an indexing database stored in storage unit 1107 which has stored in the database, related clinical information for the particular pairing of “3256” to a user-defined treatment goal (for example, discussed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 14).

Dental Characterization Database

Referring back to FIG. 11, the indexing system 1100 in one embodiment of the present invention may also be used to represent one or more teeth within a patient's dentition. Typically an adult patient's dentition includes 32 teeth. Dentists usually characterize five surfaces of each tooth: mesial, occlusal/incisal, distal, buccal/facial, and lingual. Each of these surfaces may be natural or covered by a restoration such as silver amalgam, composite, porcelain, gold, or metal crown. The tooth may also be missing or have been treated with a root canal or an implant. These combinations may be represented with an indexing system for the initial dentition, target dentition (treatment goal), and final dentition which is the outcome of the treatment.

For each tooth in a patient's dentition, there may be a number of possible conditions based on the characteristics of the tooth, such as the surface of the tooth and whether the tooth as been treated or is missing. The combinations of different possible conditions of the teeth define a matrix. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a 32-position address within the matrix, where each position in the address corresponds to a tooth in a patient's dentition and includes a sub-address in which alphanumeric characters or other representations represent the current condition of the tooth.

A “5-bit” sub-address for each tooth includes positions 12345 where each of the positions “1” to “5” represents one of the five surfaces of the tooth. In particular, position 1 of the sub-address corresponds to the mesial surface of the tooth, position 2 of the sub-address corresponds to the occlusal or incisal surface of the tooth, position 3 of the sub-address corresponds to the distal surface of the tooth, position 4 of the sub-address corresponds to buccal or facial surface of the tooth, and position 5 of the sub-address corresponds to the lingual surface of the tooth.

Moreover, each of the following characters “A” to “N” corresponds to a condition of the particular surface of the tooth in the sub-address.

A = amalgam B = composite C = porcelain veneer D = gold E = porcelain crown F = gold crown G = gold crown with root canal H = porcelain crown with root canal I = amalgam with root canal J = composite with root canal K = gold crown with implant L = porcelain crown with implant M = missing N = natural

For example, consider the following patient identifier 1:NNABN. The identifier 1:NNABN would represent: tooth number 1 of a 32-bit address which has a natural mesial surface (subaddress position 1), an occlusal amalgam (subaddress position 2), a natural distal surface (subaddress position 1), a buccal/facial composite (subaddress position 4), and a natural lingual surface (subaddress position 5).

In an exemplary embodiment of patient's initial dentition, target dentition (treatment goal), and final dentition, such example may be configured as:

TotalAddress=SubAddress1:SubAddress2:SubAddress3

SubAddress1=Teeth 1-32 initial

SubAddress2=Teeth 1-32 target

SubAddress3=Teeth 1-32 current, timepoint today

whereby each of the of the 1-32 may further include an addition sub-matrix of 1-5 surfaces as previously described.

In this manner, dentists may easily query their practice database to determine how much dental work has been done and remains to be done. They can also track trends of use in their practice and what are the most common procedures in the practice. The patient matrix may also be used in forensics for patient identification purposes, as well as for national security and other security purposes.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary tabulation of the possible treatment goals of the indexing system treatment goal matrix stored in the storage unit 1107 of FIG. 11 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Four examples of treatment goals are the following:

Treatment Goal 1: Pre-restorative set-up—the objective of this goal is to better position specific teeth for the purpose of improved placement of dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and implants. Some of the patient's dental components may be left as is (untreated) if they do not contribute to the purpose of improvement of the restorative goal.

Treatment Goal 2: Esthetic alignment—the objective of this goal is to align the patient's anterior teeth for the purpose of improved esthetics. Generally speaking, the patient's bite may be left as is (untreated) if it does not contribute to the purpose of improving the esthetic component of the patient's smile.

Treatment Goal 3: Anterior function improvement—the objective of this goal is to improve the anterior function of the teeth while also improving the anterior esthetic component. Generally speaking, the patient's posterior occlusion may be left as is if it does not contribute to the improvement of the canine function and/or anterior esthetics.

Treatment Goal 4: Optimal set-up—the objective of this goal is to make the entire bite close to “textbook” ideal, including both the canine and molar function.

FIG. 14 illustrates an expanded version of FIG. 13 using the characteristics as defined by the tabulation shown in FIG. 12. More specifically, each of the four treatment goals identified in FIG. 13 may be further refined and formatted according to the tabulation and indexing shown in FIG. 12 to describe the target objective of treatment in greater detail according to each individual component.

For example, for the treatment goal 1 for pre-restorative set-up, an example of this goal according to the 4-bit matrix format in FIG. 12 may be XXX4 where the “X” is the patient's existing relationship for that component left untreated, and only the fourth digit is planned for treatment. Furthermore, for the treatment goal 2 for esthetic alignment, an example of this goal according to the 4-bit matrix format in FIG. 2 may be XX44 where “X” is the patient's existing relationship for that component left untreated, and only the third and fourth digits (representing the transverse and arch length components, respectively) are planned for treatment.

In addition, for treatment goal 3 for anterior function improvement, an example of this goal according to the 4-bit matrix format in FIG. 12 may be 4X44 whereby “X” is the patient's existing relationship for that component left untreated. In this example, only the second digit component (corresponding to the vertical dimension) is not planned for treatment. Finally, for treatment goal 4 for optimal set-up, an example of this goal according to the 4-bit matrix defined in FIG. 12, may be 4444.

There are various ways to generate an identifier which represents a patient's unique problem or case type. Traditionally, the method has been to describe and define a characteristic and have the trained individual subjectively identify the condition or “label” which best represents the patient's condition. To reduce the variability in this method requires calibration and/or objective measures to define each of the labels.

Another method involves using a visual image-based interface. To characterize a patient's dentition, a user compares the patient's dentition to images of reference dentition conditions which depict the severity of malocclusion, or lack thereof. The user then identifies where the patient's dentition condition falls within a range of reference conditions depicting malocclusion and selects the image that either best represents the patient, or selects a relative position of the patient's condition from a continuous gradient of patient image depictions of the specific problem. The visual image interface can be presented to the user without any descriptions or labels to avoid any pre-conceived biases associated with the label.

Visual images have been previously described in the ICON indexing system for example, to describe an esthetic component of the patient. In the ICON system, the assessor selects 1 of 10 images which best represents the patient's anterior esthetic component. Through calibration, multiple users are then able to determine a patient's esthetic component with reasonable consistency. The use of a visual interface to capture every component of the patient's orthodontic dental condition however, has not previously been described as an interface for creation of a digital patient database.

FIG. 15 illustrates the lower arch length component 1500 for use in the indexing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This illustration of the lower arch length component 1500 is an exemplary visual scale allowing the user to select an image which is similar to the patient's dentition condition. Referring to FIG. 5, there are shown seven images of the lower arch, each representing a possible reference condition for the lower arch length category. In this exemplary embodiment, images 1501-1507 represents the 7 images corresponding to the individual fields for the “Lower Arch Length” component of “Arch Length” dimension of FIG. 12. The user simply selects which of the seven images is best represented in the patient. Or they may be able to select where in between two adjacent images the patient can be best described. They do not need to know what the technical label or term is; they simply need to select an image or area between two images based on direct comparison of the existing condition to the pictures presented.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 15, each of the seven images 1501-1507 has a corresponding predefined alphanumeric character. Thus, when an image is selected, the associated predefined alphanumeric character is added to the identifier address of the patient. By labeling each category with an alphanumeric character, the patient's dentition may be characterized through alphanumeric addressing. The output to the user may explain the specific details of their selection in greater detail, including the technical description and treatment options associated with such a condition. In an alternate embodiment, an alphanumeric character may be generated when the user selects the area in between adjacent images, representing that the patient's condition falls in between the condition of the adjacent images selected. The user interface may also be a combination of both direct selection of the image as well as in-between selection of images.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an exemplary doctor and patient information display 1600 for the indexing system 1100 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This display 600 includes information input by a user into fields 1601-1603 to identify a patient. In particular, a patient's name is input into field 1601, a patient's gender is input into field 1602, and a patient's primary concern(s) is input into field 1603. The preferred embodiment of field 1603 is a check-box selection of pre-defined possible conditions which can then be catalogued according to the selections of the user. It will be appreciated that other patient information may be added. Once the patient information has been entered, a user can select a predefined input command or button to move onto the next display, which is illustrated in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 17, an exemplary selection process display 1700 is shown for the sagittal dimension (matrix address position “A” in FIG. 12)—right buccal, right canine/cuspid component. A series of images of reference dentition conditions 1701-1703 are displayed in conjunction with buttons 1704 allowing the images to be scrolled to the left or right. A user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 1704 to select the image of the reference dentition condition that best reflects the patient's current condition specifically at the location(s) indicated by the focusing arrows indicated in 1702. In this exemplary embodiment, a user clicks the left or right arrow buttons to select the cuspid (canine) relationship that is similar to a patient's current occlusion.

Once the selection is made, the next button 1705 is pressed to move onto the next screen. The exemplary selection process display 1700 also includes buttons 1706-1709 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 18, an exemplary selection process display 1800 is shown for the sagittal category—left buccal, left cuspid component. A series of images of reference dentition conditions 1801-1803 are displayed in association with buttons 804 allowing the images to be scrolled to the left or right. A user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 804 to select the image of the reference dentition condition that best reflects the patient's current condition. In this exemplary embodiment, a user clicks the left or right arrow buttons to select the cuspid relationship that is similar to a patient's current occlusion.

Once the selection is made, the next button 1805 is pressed to move onto the next display which is illustrated in FIG. 19. The exemplary selection process display 1800 also includes buttons 1806-1809 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 19, an exemplary selection process display 1900 is shown for the vertical dimension (matrix address position “B” in FIG. 12)—anterior overbite component. A series of images of reference conditions 1901-1903 are displayed in conjunction with buttons 1904 allowing the images to be scrolled to the left or right. A user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 1904 to select the image of the reference dentition condition that best reflects the patient's current condition. In this exemplary embodiment, a user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 1904 to select the anterior vertical overbite relationship component that is similar to a patient's degree of open or deep bite.

Once the selection is made, the next button 1905 is pressed to move onto the next display, which is illustrated in FIG. 20. The exemplary selection process display 1900 also includes buttons 1906-1909 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 20, an exemplary selection process display 2000 is shown for the horizontal/transverse dimension (matrix address position “C” in FIG. 12)—upper and lower midline components. An image 1010 representing a reference dentition condition is altered by clicking the upper arrows 2001-2002 corresponding to the upper arch of the image 2010, and by clicking the lower arrows 2003-2004 corresponding to the lower arch of the image 1010 to best match the midline of the image 2010 to a patient's midline component relationship. Once the selection is made, the next button 2005 is pressed to move onto the next display, which is illustrated in FIG. 21. The exemplary selection process display 2000 of FIG. 20 also includes buttons 2006-2009 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 21, an exemplary selection process display 2100 is shown for the upper arch length category. An image of a reference dentition condition 2101 and descriptions of reference dentition conditions 2102, 2103 are displayed in association with buttons 2104 allowing the reference dentition condition image and descriptions to be scrolled to the left or right. A user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 2104 to select the image or description of the reference dentition condition that best reflects the patient's current condition. In this exemplary embodiment, a user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 2104 to select the image or description of the reference dentition condition that is similar to a patient's upper arch length from the occlusal view. In this particular embodiment, if there is both crowding and spacing present, a user is instructed to use the net amount of crowding or spacing, but it may be possible to have each aspect captured independently.

Again, once the selection is made, the next button 2105 is pressed to move onto the next display which is illustrated in FIG. 22. The exemplary selection process display 2100 also includes buttons 2106-2109 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 22, an exemplary selection process display 2200 is shown for the arch length dimension (matrix position “D” in FIG. 12)—lower arch length component. An image of a reference dentition condition 2201 and descriptions of reference dentition conditions 2202, 2203 are displayed in association with buttons 2204 allowing the reference dentition condition image and descriptions to be scrolled to the left or right. A user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 2204 to select the image or description of the reference dentition condition that best reflects the patient's current condition for the lower arch length component of arch length. In this exemplary embodiment, a user clicks the left or right arrow buttons 2204 to select the image or description of the reference dentition condition that is similar to a patient's lower arch length from the occlusal view. In this example, if both crowding and spacing are present, the user is instructed to use the net amount of crowding or spacing. It may be possible however to capture crowding and spacing independently in order to derive the net discrepancy.

Once the selection is made, the next button 2205 is pressed to move onto the next display, which is illustrated in FIG. 23. The exemplary selection process display 2200 of FIG. 22 also includes buttons 2206-2209 to allow a user to go back, access a glossary, ask for advice, and save the information, respectively.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary patient summary tabulation 1300 for output display on terminal 1101 for use in the indexing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary patient summary display 2300 is generated from the information input from previous displays 1600-2200, as illustrated in corresponding FIGS. 16-22, respectively. Referring to FIG. 23, the selections made during the processes and displays described above and illustrated in conjunction with FIGS. 16-22 are summarized as shown in the summary display 2300 in one embodiment of the present invention.

For example, for each reference dentition category including sagittal, vertical, horizontal and arch length, the corresponding malocclusion reference component (for example, right canine, anterior overbite, upper midline relative to lower midline, and lower arch length, respectively), and each of which is associated with a selected one of the pre-defined options (for example, right canine partial Class 2, moderate anterior deep bite, upper midline to left 0-1 mm, and lower moderate crowding, respectively). Also can be seen from FIG. 23 is the selected value of the selected pre-defined options 1203 (FIG. 12) as tabulated and illustrated in FIG. 12. The user is also able to edit the dentition condition information in each of the categories by selecting the corresponding “EDIT” button to go back to the page desired and reselecting the image corresponding to that category.

In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, the information input by the user during the selection process is indexed and catalogued in a patient database (for example, the database 2400 shown in FIG. 24 below) of the indexing system 1100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the selection process discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 16-22 for the indexing and cataloguing is transparent to the user. The patient information input by the user in the selection process is used to generate both the summary display as illustrated in FIG. 23 and an identifier representing the dentition conditions of the patient. FIGS. 16-22 illustrate the selection process display 1600 for use in the indexing system 1100 for various categories in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This is the selection process for inputting a patient's dentition information. It will be appreciated that although FIGS. 17-22 illustrate reference dentition conditions represented by pictorial images, the present invention is not intended to be limited to such representations. The reference dentition conditions may also be represented by symbols, icons, descriptions, graphs, 3-D objects, radiographs, forms, and other types of images. The reference conditions may also be user-defined through an interactive graphical image such that the user best recreates the condition observed in the patient as a means of input for the system.

FIG. 24 illustrates a patient database 2400 for use in the indexing system 1100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The patient database 2400 includes a patient field 2401, an indexing database address field 2402, and one or more category fields 2403. In the exemplary database of FIG. 24, the category fields 2403 include a sagittal category field 2404, a vertical category field 2405, a horizontal category field 2406, an upper arch length category field 2407, a lower length category field 2408, a rotation field 2409, a vertical correction field 2410, and a midline correction field 2411.

Referring to FIG. 24, the patient field 2401 includes the patient name. The indexing database address field 2402 includes the patient identifier. This patient identifier corresponds to an address in the indexing database 1300, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. The address in the indexing database 1300 is associated with treatment information for that particular diagnostic combination. The category fields 2403, which in this exemplary embodiment are the sagittal category field 2404, the vertical category field 2405, the horizontal category field 2406, the upper arch length category field 2407, the lower length category field 2408, the rotation field 2409, the vertical correct field 2410, and the midline correct field 2411, include the patient's one or more dentition conditions in the respective categories. For example, referring to FIG. 24, patient L. Smith's dentition condition in the sagittal category field 2404 is “Class I”. Patient M. Jones' dentition condition in the upper arch length category field 2407 is “normal”. The category fields 2403 also indicate whether the particular reference condition is eligible for treatment (for example, shown by the Y/N indicator).

In this manner, the patient identifier may be configured to represent the patient conditions. For example, referring to the indexing database address field 2402, it is shown that L. Smith's identifier is “55772752”. Since the identifier includes eight positions, the identifier is an eight-position matrix. The number in each position of the identifier represents a particular condition within a particular category. In this exemplary embodiment, the first position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the sagittal category. For example, the sagittal category field 2404 indicates that L. Smith has a “Class I” malocclusion. Thus, the number 5 in the first position of the identifier represents a “Class I” malocclusion in the sagittal category.

Referring back to FIG. 24, the second position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the vertical category. For example, the vertical category field 2405 indicates that L. Smith has normal occlusion. Thus, the number 5 in the second position of the identifier represents a normal occlusion in the vertical category. The third position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the horizontal category. For example, the horizontal category field 2406 indicates that L. Smith has a crossbite. Thus, the number 7 in the third position of the identifier represents crossbite in the horizontal category.

Moreover, the fourth position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the upper arch length category. For example, the upper arch length category field 2407 indicates that L. Smith has moderate crowding. Thus, the number 7 in the fourth position of the identifier represents moderate crowding in the upper arch length category. In addition, the fifth position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the lower arch length category. For example, the lower arch length category field 2408 indicates that L. Smith has moderate spacing. Thus, the number 2 in the fifth position of the identifier represents moderate spacing in the lower arch length category.

In addition, the sixth position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the rotation category. For example, the rotation category field 2409 indicates that L. Smith has <20° rotation. Thus, the number 7 in the sixth position of the identifier represents <20° rotation in the rotation category. Further, the seventh position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the vertical correction category. For example, the vertical correct category field 2410 indicates that L. Smith has no extrusion. Thus, the number 5 in the seventh position of the identifier represents no intrusion/extraction in the vertical correction category.

Finally, referring yet again to FIG. 24, the eighth position of the identifier matrix represents the patient condition in the midline correct category. For example, the midline correct category field 2411 indicates that L. Smith has >2 mm midline correction. Thus, the number 2 in the eighth position of the identifier represents >2 mm midline correct in the midline correction category.

In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, the conditions in the categories may be arranged in a predetermined order each associated with a numerical (for example “the number 2 in the eight position of the identifier representing greater than 2 mm midline correction in the midline correction category for patient L. Smith), or a predefined identifier such as, alphanumeric characters, symbols and the like. In a further embodiment, the conditions in the categories may be arranged in ascending order by difficulty and the categories are sorted in order of difficulty so that it is possible to define a matrix where 11111111 represents the mildest case and 33333333 is the most severe case in an eight position matrix identifier, for example as described above. Additionally, each index in the matrix is weighted to derive a composite score of the overall case.

FIG. 25 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention for capturing an address in the selection process for use in the indexing system. FIG. 25 illustrates the table 1200 of FIG. 12 used directly as a graphical interface. In such embodiment, each reference condition as shown and illustrated in tabular format as rectangles may be represented as user input buttons with text which may be clicked to highlight and select the appropriate reference condition. The assumption for this type of interface is that the user understands the definitions of the text in order to select the appropriate button. When the buttons are pressed to select a particular reference condition, the selections are highlighted (shown in bold in FIG. 25). Clicking any button twice will deselect the initial selection so that another selection can be made. In this manner, users who are more familiar with the various types of reference conditions may be able to input the information more quickly than through a visual-image based interface. In this example, the generated address would be “3256.” The “Selected Value” column on the right side of FIG. 25 is in one embodiment, transparent to the user/patient, and not displayed to the user since the address has no relevance to the end user, and is important only for the database query.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary series of database addresses generated by combining the initial condition address with the treatment goal address in one embodiment of the present invention. As indicated from the exemplary table 1200 of FIG. 12, there are 2,701 possible patient case combinations or addresses for four components of seven possible selection options each. Thus, an identifier address points to one of the 2,701 possible combinations in the database. Each identifier is associated with a field stored in a database of the storage unit 1107 (FIG. 11). An identifier may be extended so that it represents the patient's condition at different time points. For example, the database may be structured such that time points for initial dentition, target dentition, and actual final dentition are captured as separate addresses. For example, consider the following address:

-   -   ABCD: A*B*C*D*:A**B**C**D**

In this arrangement, the first four positions “A” to “D” of the matrix represent the patient's initial dentition (as previously described), positions “A*” to “D*” of the matrix represent the patient's target dentition or treatment goal, and positions “A**” to “D**” of the matrix represent the patient's actual final dentition or treatment outcome. Because the number of positions in the matrix may be variable, and since each position can include symbols, alphanumeric characters or other representations, the depth of individual patient cases that is stored is may be detailed and specific to the patient and/or the associated profile or condition. Using the 4 possible treatment outcomes illustrated in FIG. 14 and the 2,701 possible combinations in FIG. 12, this equates to 2,701×4=10,804 possible paired combinations between initial and goal.

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary database for a patient with an index address of “3256” and the four possible treatment goals of 1 through 4. The resulting four combined addresses have different data for each of the parameters. This information is reported to the user either (1) upon completion of the case characterization, whereby all possible treatment goal options are presented to the user or (2) upon completion of the case characterization and selection of a single treatment goal, whereby only the information from this address-goal pair is presented to the user.

For each of these paired combinations, a combined address can be created, with database assets in a “digital mailbox” associated with each address. Assets for each digital mailbox can include, but is not limited to: treatment plan information related to the case-treatment goal pairing, such as a text description of the treatment condition and goals, treatment precautions, treatment length estimates, doctor skill set requirements, prescription data, sample case data, and case difficulty. This data may be generated using expert opinion, computational algorithms, and/or historical case content.

For example, with respect to FIG. 23, where the case is identified as a “3256” and using the 4 types of treatment goals as shown in FIG. 14, combining the two yields four distinct database addresses: 3256:1, 3256:2, 3256:3, and 3256:4. Each of the addresses can be populated with information specific to the case-treatment goal combination. All four options can be simultaneously displayed to the user as “treatment options” or the user can select a specific treatment goal and have a single specific resulting treatment option data displayed. It is also conceivable that the user may also select any number of specific goals, and each of the data associated with each goal selected is reported to the user depending on the initial condition parameters selected.

FIG. 28 illustrates a process 2800 for identifying a dentition problem or condition of a patient. The process 2800 is discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 16-27. At step 2801, the user starts by entering identification information such as doctor and patient name, in addition to patient chief concern(s) (FIG. 16). In one embodiment, this comparison may be performed by the central server 1109 (FIG. 11) based on information received, for example, from the terminal 1101, and/or based on stored information retrieved from the data storage unit 1107. This and other related transactions in the process may be performed over a data network such as the internet via a secure connection. The user then selects one of two user interfaces to input the patient's dental condition. The preferred method for the novice user is the visual-user interface (FIG. 17-22) shown as step 2802. The advanced user will likely prefer the alternative user interface (FIG. 25) illustrated as step 2803.

Referring to FIG. 28, at step 2804 an initial dentition condition of a patient in each category is compared to one or more reference conditions in the same category. After comparing the initial dentition condition of the patient in each category to one or more reference conditions for each respective category, at step 2804, the selected reference condition similar to the initial patient condition in the same category is received. Thereafter, at step 2805, the patient identifier is then generated based on the combination of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the selected reference conditions. Edits can be made to the inputs during the summary page review (step 2804) until the user is satisfied with the information submitted.

The output following the completion of the data input is a translation summary (FIG. 23), which formats the user input into technically relevant and correct terminology. At the same time, the user input is also translated into a database address representing the current patient condition (FIG. 25)—step 2805. Once the database address is created, the user can choose to view all possible treatment options for this patient (OPTION 1), or specifically select a treatment goal and view the specific goal associated with the user's selection (OPTION 2). To view all the possible treatment options for the patient (OPTION 1), the database (FIG. 27) is queried at step 2806, and all data associated with the input address is presented to the user at step 2807 (END 1).

Referring back to FIG. 28, if the user desires to select a specific goal, the specific goal is first defined by the user through a selection interface at step 2808 (FIG. 13), and the selection is then translated into a database address at step 2809 (FIG. 14), and the two addresses (patient condition and treatment goal) merged to create a combined address or index at step 2810 (FIG. 26). This combined address is then used to query the database at step 2811 (FIG. 27) in order to produce data specific to a single patient condition-treatment goal combination at step 2812 (END 2).

For OPTION 2, it may also be possible that the user can select multiple goals and only the data specific to those selected goals be produced for the user. Once the user has reached END 1 or END 2, the user has the option to purchase the product for the purpose of any one of the selected treatment goals, by selecting a pre-populated or semi-populated treatment prescription which can be part of the output data presented to the user through this experience.

As discussed above, the user interface can provide one or more patient cases from the indexing database that matches the patient problem. Additionally, a range of patient cases from the indexing database that address specific components of the patient's problem can be provided. In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, search tools may be created to run statistics using the patient identifiers. For example, one search request may be to find all 131X cases. In this exemplary search request, X represents any character in the fourth position of the address. Thus, the search request would be to find all patient identifiers having “131” as the first 3 digits of their patient identifier address.

By labeling historically treated cases with this identification methodology, a catalog of orthodontic treatment can be created for future reference when planning treatment and assessing treatment outcomes. The result is a front-end user interface for capturing the description of an orthodontic condition and classifying the orthodontic condition in a systematic scalable way. Referring again to FIG. 28, once the identifier is generated at step 2805, one or more treatment options can be determined using information generated from a database query. The generated one or more treatment options may be stored in the data storage unit 1107 (FIG. 11), and also, be provided to the terminal 1101 for display on the display unit.

Given the diagnosis and treatment planning of orthodontic treatments can include a significant subjective component that may vary depending upon the doctor's preferences and level of training, the indexing system provides a comprehensive, robust, and a substantially objective approach to establishing the patient diagnosis, treatment goal, and treatment plan. The patient identifier of the present invention which represents the patient's case, as well as the target treatment goal and final outcome enables treatment outcome profiles to be objectively catalogued, and for the catalog to be evaluated based on probabilities and distributions. Indices such as prognosis and case difficulty can be assigned to matrix combinations, enabling similar cases to be treated like similarly successful cases. Treatment options may be correlated for completeness and ease of use. Treatment products, such as appliances, may be associated with specific matrix combinations so that their suggested use is more closely tied to a successful outcome.

Within the scope of the present invention, other embodiments for inputting a patient's dentition condition are also contemplated. For example, a configurable three-dimensional model may be used to input the information. In such embodiment, the user may recreate the patient dentition condition for the dimension. Alternatively, a three-dimensional graphics model may be staged to represent the entire range of possible reference conditions for any given dimension. In such embodiment, a user manipulates a slider to match a stage of the range which is closest to the actual patient condition.

It will also be appreciated that this method of objectively characterizing a case according to individual components is not limited to the time points of pre-treatment, treatment goal, and post-treatment, and that any time point during treatment and following treatment may be also catalogued in a similar fashion using the same input and database system.

It will also be appreciated that in this exemplary embodiment although only one reference condition is discussed as being selected for a particular category, the present invention is not intended to be so limiting. The selection of one or more reference conditions within each category is within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, a method for characterizing a dentition of a patient in one embodiment of the present invention includes comparing an initial patient condition in each of a plurality of dentition categories with one or more reference conditions in each of the plurality of dentition categories, where each of the one or more reference conditions has a corresponding representation, selecting at least one reference condition in one or more of the plurality of dentition categories, where each selected reference condition is similar to the initial patient condition in a same dentition category, and generating a patient identifier based on the corresponding representations of each selected reference condition.

In one aspect, the plurality of dentition categories may include at least two of: sagittal, vertical, horizontal, upper and arch length dimensions, or a number of a tooth in a dentition of a patient.

Moreover, the method may further include determining whether each initial patient condition is indicated for treatment based on treatment information corresponding to the selected reference condition, providing one or more treatment options for each initial patient condition indicated for treatment, where the one or more treatment options include one or more of a treatment description, a treatment goal, a time to complete the treatment, a difficulty level, and a skill level to complete the treatment, an example of the treatment option.

Further, in another aspect, the method may also include comparing at least a portion of the patient identifier with one or more reference identifiers, wherein each of the one or more reference identifiers includes an initial reference dentition and a final reference dentition, selecting at least one reference identifier from the one or more reference identifiers, wherein the selected reference identifier includes the portion of the patient identifier, and determining a final patient dentition based on the final reference dentition corresponding to the selected reference identifier.

A method for characterizing a dentition of a patient in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes receiving an initial dentition of a patient, generating an initial profile representing the initial dentition of the patient, identifying an initial malocclusion from the initial profile, and comparing at least a portion of the initial profile with one or more reference profiles of reference dentitions, where said one or more reference profiles includes a reference malocclusion substantially similar to the initial malocclusion at the beginning, during any treatment stage, or final outcome treatment position.

Also, the method may also include the step of selecting at least one of the one or more reference profiles, where said one or more reference profiles has a related final reference dentition.

Additionally, in a further aspect, the method also includes providing a target dentition of the patient based on the final reference dentition.

The step of generating an initial profile in one embodiment may include visually categorizing the initial dentition of the patient.

Moreover, the method may also include identifying one or more treatment options associated with the one or more reference profiles.

A system for providing an orthodontic profile indexing system in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit, and a controller unit operatively coupled to the storage unit, and configured to compare an initial patient condition in each of a plurality of dentition categories with one or more reference conditions in each of the plurality of dentition categories, where each of the one or more reference conditions has a corresponding representation, select at least one reference condition in one or more of the plurality of dentition categories, where each selected reference condition is similar to the initial patient condition in a same dentition category, and to generate a patient identifier based on the corresponding representations of each selected reference condition.

The controller unit may be configured to determine whether each initial patient condition is eligible for treatment based on treatment information corresponding to the selected reference condition, and to provide one or more treatment options for each initial patient condition eligible for treatment.

Also, the controller unit may be further configured to compare at least a portion of the patient identifier with one or more reference identifiers, where each of the one or more reference identifiers includes an initial reference dentition and a final reference dentition, to select at least one reference identifier from the one or more reference identifiers, where the selected reference identifier includes the portion of the patient identifier, and to determine a final patient dentition based on the final reference dentition corresponding to the selected reference identifier.

In addition, a terminal may be operatively coupled to the controller unit, and configured to transmit one or more of the initial patient condition, where the terminal may be further configured to include a display unit.

A system for characterizing a dentition of a patient in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention includes a central controller unit configured to generate an initial profile representing the initial dentition of the patient, to identify an initial malocclusion from the initial profile, and to compare at least a portion of the initial profile with one or more reference profiles of reference dentitions, wherein said one or more reference profiles includes a reference malocclusion substantially similar to the initial malocclusion.

In another aspect, a user terminal may be operatively coupled to the central controller unit, the user terminal configured to transmit the initial dentition of the patient.

The central controller unit may be further configured to select at least one of the one or more reference profiles, wherein said one or more reference profiles has a related final reference dentition.

In addition, the central controller unit may be further configured to provide a target dentition of the patient based on the final reference dentition.

The central controller unit may be further configured to visually categorize the initial dentition of the patient.

Moreover, the central controller unit may be further configured to identify one or more treatment options associated with the one or more reference profiles.

In yet still a further aspect, a storage unit may be configured to store one or more of an initial profile an initial malocclusion, and a reference malocclusion.

The various processes described above including the processes performed by the central server 1109 (FIG. 11) in the software application execution environment in the indexing system 1100 including the processes and routines described in conjunction with the Figures may be embodied as computer programs developed using an object oriented language that allows the modeling of complex systems with modular objects to create abstractions that are representative of real world, physical objects and their interrelationships. The software required to carry out the inventive process, which may be stored in the memory or data storage unit 1107 of the indexing system or internally (not shown) within the central server 1109, may be developed by a person of ordinary skill in the art and may include one or more computer program products.

While the characterization of adult dentition has been discussed in conjunction with the embodiments described above, the various embodiments of the present invention may be used for the characterization of child dentitions. In addition, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the various aspects of the present invention may be manually implemented by the user, for example, using print-out documentation, visual graphics, and/or photographic images of the conditions and/or treatment options, and further, may include, within the scope of the present invention, manual computation or calculation of the results. In this manner, within the scope of the present invention, the various embodiments discussed above in the context of a computerized system for implementing the aspects of the present invention, may be implemented manually.

FIG. 29 is an example user interface display for initiating sample orthodontic case assessment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 29, in one embodiment, a user such as a patient, a doctor or a clinician is provided a visual guide interface (for example, using a display unit of a computer system) for initiating a sample orthodontic case assessment. More specifically, the user interface display 2900 in one embodiment includes a patient field 2901 for entering information related to the patient, such as the patient's name. Within the scope of the present disclosure, additional patient related data fields may be provided on the user interface display 2900. Referring to FIG. 29, also shown is a retrieve button 2902 which is configured to retrieve a previously stored profile, if it has been previously stored in the one or more databases, of the patient whose information has been entered in the patient field 2901. Thereafter, pressing a next button 2903 on the user interface display 2900 in one embodiment changes the displayed information on the user interface display 2900 to the next page or display as shown, for example, in conjunction with FIG. 30 below.

FIG. 30 is an example user interface display for providing patient desired orthodontic treatment information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 30, in one embodiment, the user may be provided with a plurality of options to select the patient's concern or orthodontic related complaint. For example, the display area 3001 in one embodiment of the user interface display 3000 may be configured to provide a plurality of orthodontic related conditions from which the user may select, such as, protruded incisors, narrow smile, overlapped teeth, small teeth, spaced between teeth, underbite, or uneven smile. If none of the pre-specified and displayed conditions are pertinent to the user, then the user may optionally enter the patient's orthodontic related condition in the Other field shown in the user interface display 3000.

Upon selecting the relevant one or more orthodontic conditions, the user may press the next button 3003 to proceed to the next stage in the visual guide interface. Alternatively, if the user desires to return to a previously displayed user interface display, then the user may press a back button 3002 shown on the user interface display 3000. As shown in the Figures, the next series of user interface displays illustrate a plurality of selection criteria for choosing the suitable orthodontic condition of the patient using, for example, a combination of graphical images and corresponding text description as described in further detail in conjunction with FIGS. 31-34.

More specifically, FIGS. 31-34 are an example user interface displays for providing patient orthodontic condition information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 31, the user interface display 3100 includes a first display area 3101 displaying options for the patient to select the image of orthodontic related condition that most resembles the patient's condition. More specifically, in the first display area 3101 the user may select the image that best represents the position of the patient's centrals and laterals. Furthermore, referring again to FIG. 31, a second display area 3102 is provided in the user interface display 3100 which illustrates a plurality of images that permits the user to select the most similar overjet condition. It can be seen that, when the user selects one of the plurality of images from the second display area 3102, the selected image is displayed in a magnified manner in a predefined selection area 3103 of the user interface display 3100.

As described in further detail below, the user may toggle between the plurality of images in the second display area 3102 which in one embodiment changes the corresponding displayed image in the predefined selection area 3103. In one embodiment, toggling between the different images in the second display area 3102 will change or replace the corresponding image in the predefined selection area 3103 substantially in real time such that there is substantially no overlap of the two images within the predefined selection area 3103. In this case, the user or viewer of the images displayed in the predefined selection area 3103 may temporarily visually retain the replaced image (displayed in the predefined selection area 3103) such that when the new or toggled image is displayed in the same redefined selection area 3101, the user or viewer perceives the difference between the two images within the predefined selection area 3103.

In a further embodiment, the display change in the predefined selection area 3103 includes a predetermined time delay such that, when the user toggles between the selection of different images in the second display area 3102, a predefined overlapping time period is established between the image that is currently the predefined selection area, and the image that corresponds to the newly selected one of the plurality of images in the second display area 3102. In this manner, the differences between the various images in the second display area 3102 may be visually determined. Accordingly, the user may be readily and easily ascertain the differences between the plurality of images shown in the second display area 3102 by simple toggle selection between the plurality of images, and may be able to more accurately select the image which corresponds to the patient's orthodontic condition.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34, additional plurality of images related to other orthodontic conditions is presented on the user interface display 3200, 3300, 3400. For example, FIG. 32 illustrates a plurality of images 3201 which show various different states of an overbite condition, FIG. 33 illustrate pluralities of images 3301, 3303 which show various different states of the midline to face condition and lower midline to upper midline conditions, respectively, and further, where each user interface display 3200, 3300 include a corresponding predefined selection area 3202, 3302, and 3304, respectively, that provide the magnified view of the selected image in the corresponding user interface display 3200, 3300. In addition, FIG. 34 illustrates pluralities of images 3401, 3403 related to teeth spacing/crowding conditions for upper arch and lower arch, respectively. Moreover, there are provided in the user interface display 3400 a corresponding predefined selection area 3402, 3404 to display the associated selected one of the plurality of images 3401, 3403 for the upper arch spacing/crowding condition and the lower arch spacing/crowding condition.

Referring again to FIGS. 32-34, each user interface display 3200, 3300, 3400 is provided with a back button 3203, 3305, 3405, and a next button 3204, 3306, 3406, which may be pressed by the user to advance to the subsequent display or return to a previous display in the visual guide interface. In this manner, using visual images (and optionally in combination with textual description), the user may capture patient's orthodontic conditions. While not shown, in one embodiment the user selection of each image or orthodontic condition via the user interface displays as shown in FIGS. 31-34 are stored in the one or more databases associated with the patient.

FIGS. 35A-35C are example user interface displays illustrating image selection and associated enlarged display at a predetermined area of the display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 35A-35C, the modification to the predetermined selection area 3402 in the user interface display 3400 is shown in further detail. That is, as the selection of one of the plurality of images 3401 moves from image 3410, to image 3420 and then to image 3430, the corresponding displayed magnified image in the predetermined selection area 3402 is correspondingly changed to display the selected one of image 3410, image 3420 or image 3430.

In one embodiment, the display of the selected one of the plurality of images 3401 may include a predetermined overlap such that, an overlap in the displayed image in the predetermined selection area 3402 of the current selected image and the new image to replace the current selected image. In particular embodiments, the current selected image may be further manipulated to be displayed in a varying degrees or percentages of translucency such that an overlay of the new image over the translucent current selected image in the predetermined selection area 3402 provides visually accurate differences between the two images. The contrast or degree of translucency or may be modified for either of the current selected image or the new image, or both so as to effectively highlight or visually present the image differences displayed in the predetermined selection area 3402. In another aspect, the displayed images in the predetermined selection area 3402 may include other display properties including, for example, a shadow profile, an outline profile, or any other suitable image enhancement or manipulation to illustrate differences between two or more images.

In still a further aspect, as discussed above, a selection change between the plurality of images 3401 at a predetermined speed by the user may provide sufficient visual registration in the user's memory so that the differences between the images in the predetermined selection area 3402 are readily perceived. In one aspect, the overlay or toggling of images to re-enforce or highlight the comparisons between images for improved analysis may be applied to other areas such as, for example in comparison of celestial photography to identify bodies in motion, analysis of satellite images, comparison of intra-oral scan images to identify movement, and any other areas where comparison of two or more images are desirable.

Referring now to FIG. 36, upon entering the patient related information (which may be optionally stored in the one or more databases associated with the patient), possible or applicable treatment options and the associated parameters are determined. More specifically, FIG. 36 is an example user interface display providing treatment goals associated with the patient orthodontic condition information and patient desired orthodontic treatment information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the user interface display 3600 in one embodiment is configured to display one or more treatment goals 3601 associated with the patient and based upon the patient orthodontic condition provided and as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 32-34. Moreover, each treatment goal 3601 is further provided with one or more treatment parameter information associated with implementing the corresponding treatment goal. That is, for each treatment goal 3601 identified, a corresponding approximate number of aligners necessary for treatment is displayed in data field 3603, and moreover, a view sample button is provided to retrieve a sample treatment plan associated with the treatment of similar orthodontic case with the same or similar treatment goal identified.

For example, as shown in FIG. 36, pre-restorative setup is identified as one of the treatment goals 3601, and further, it is anticipated that approximately 6-12 aligners on average may be necessary to improve the position of the mal-aligned crowns to better prepare for restorative procedure. Other treatment goals identified may include anterior orthodontic alignment that includes the alignment of the upper and power anterior teeth, anterior function which may include improvement of the canine relationship in addition to aesthetic alignment, and further, correct to ideal treatment goal which may include correction of substantially all of the patient's malocclusions. Also, the user interface display 3600 is also provided with a back button 3604 to return to a previous user interface display, or alternatively, the user may press an exit button 3605 to complete the initial orthodontic case assessment.

Referring back to FIG. 36, when the user presses one of the view sample buttons 3602, a sample orthodontic case that was previously treated (for example, treated to completion), is retrieved based upon the patient specific parameters provided, and the selected treatment goal. More specifically, FIG. 37 is an example user interface display providing a similar sample treatment case corresponding to the selected treatment goal for the patient orthodontic condition information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, sample historical orthodontic case information is provided on the user interface display 3700 with parameters and characteristics that are similar to the provided patient's conditions, and based upon the selected treatment goal.

In this manner, users such as doctors, clinicians or patients may easily and readily determine whether the patient's orthodontic conditions preliminarily qualify for treatment using aligners such as Invisalign® aligners. In addition, based on information received from the profile of the similar case that has been treated using the aligners, the users may easily determine the treatment parameters including the approximate number of aligners necessary, the approximate treatment duration, difficulty of the treatment, associated level of real or perceived pain related to the treatment, and any other relevant characteristics or parameters that would be useful to the user. Moreover, in the case the user decides to proceed with the treatment with the aligners, the information provided during the initial case assessment as described above may be retrieved from the one or more databases, and thus the user may not be required to reenter the information.

FIGS. 38A-38B illustrate a manual visual aid for patient orthodontic condition assessment and related treatment difficulty level in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 38A-38B, a manual visual guide in one embodiment may be provided for simple, qualitative and quantitative preliminary determination of aligner treatment for dental conditions. More specifically, the manual visual guide in one embodiment graphically provides orthodontic condition information and associated treatment difficulty rating based on the chosen or selected treatment goal. The difficulty rating in one embodiment is provided visually including an alphanumeric indication and an associated graphical and color combination. For example, a difficulty rating that requires advanced skill set may be associated with a “3” including a black color in diamond shape. This and other difficulty rating indicators are shown in the rating section 3802 of the manual visual aid.

Referring back to FIGS. 38A-38B, for each identified difficulty rating, there is also provided visual representation of orthodontic conditions that may be treated based on the skill level. In this manner, users such as doctors and clinicians may quickly identify which orthodontic cases are relatively easier to treat and which cases are more challenging to treat using the aligners, as well as the expected level of experience in treating patients with the aligners. Referring again to the Figures, the summary field 3801 is provided to allow the users to provide contemplated treatment summary information that is simple and easy to use.

In the manner described above, in particular embodiments, users may determine whether patient's orthodontic conditions qualify for treatment using aligners, and further, the users may obtain treatment information associated with the treatment such as the level of skills necessary to perform the treatment, the anticipated treatment duration period, the cost associated with the treatment. In one aspect, the initial patient orthodontic assessment may include a manual visual aid or a computerized visual guide interface system. Additionally, in the computerized visual guide interface system, there are provided one or more databases which have stored therein an index of patients and patient conditions and associated treatments. In this manner, the users may be easily obtain a preliminary assessment of a particular patient's orthodontic condition and the associated treatment information based upon, for example, the desired one or more treatment goals.

FIG. 39 is an example user interface display for illustrating treatment plan information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 39, the user interface display 3900 in one embodiment includes information for a particular patient's orthodontic treatment as determined by the patient's initial conditions and the desired or selected one or more treatment goals. More specifically, the user interface display 3900 in one embodiment is configured to display detailed treatment information including, for example, difficulty rating or assessment associated with the treatment (shown for example, by the black diamond shape with a difficulty rating of “3” shown in the user interface display 3700).

As further shown in the user interface display 3900, for the selected treatment goal of esthetic alignment with the complex or difficult rating of advanced (corresponding to “3”), the anticipated difficulties associated with the movement in the case and the corresponding necessary skills for using the aligners are provided. For example, referring to FIG. 39, extrusion of tooth #3, and rotations of tooth #15 and #26 are identified, among others ad anticipated difficult movements in the esthetic alignment case. Moreover, as further shown in FIG. 39, the anticipated necessary skills for the treatment for esthetic alignment includes, among others, attachments, and extrusions, for example. Based on the information provided, in the case where the user desires to change one or more parameters related to the treatment, such as difficulty rating and the associated required skill level, the user may modify the complexity or difficulty rating for the treatment, and receive, for example, the possible treatment options associated with the modified complexity or difficulty rating, for example, as discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 40.

FIG. 40 is an example user interface display for modifying a treatment plan parameter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 40, the user interface display 4000 includes a modification section 4001 which in one embodiment provides options to the user to modify the current difficulty rating associated with the treatment. For example, as shown in FIG. 40, the current rating of advanced (black diamond “3”) shown in a rating area 4002 informs the user of the current complexity or difficulty rating. Moreover, the modification section 4001 in the user interface display 4000 in one embodiment includes section options to modify the complexity rating and to receive information associated with the most achievable treatment corresponding to the modified complexity or difficulty rating.

In this manner, in one embodiment, the user may initially be provided with the complexity rating associated with the treatment goal specified, and thereafter, the user may modify the difficulty rating associated with the treatment to receive information related to achievable treatments based on the modified difficulty rating. In one embodiment, the modification request by the user may be stored in the one or more databases. In turn, the modified difficulty rating associated with a particular patient treatment may be used to modify the underlying treatment plan for the treatment of the particular patient's orthodontic conditions.

FIG. 41 illustrates example treatment difficulty categories for orthodontic treatment plans in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 41, in one embodiment the treatment difficulty or complexity rating may be categorized into three levels—easy case 4101, moderate case 4102, and advanced case 4103. As shown, each of the three levels of case complexity may be visually/graphically associated with one or more of a alphanumeric designation (for example, a “1”, a “2” or a “3”), a color designation (green for easy case, blue for moderate case, and black for advanced case, for example), a graphical designation (a circle for easy case, a square for moderate case, and a diamond for advanced case). Moreover, each of the three levels of case complexity may be associated with the corresponding treatment parameters such as, for example, difficulty of movements, minimum recommended certification level, or minimum recommended experience level. In this manner, each treatment difficulty level may be easily determined by the users for a given case assessment, and thereafter, the user may modify or adjust the treatment difficulty associated with the treatment of the patient orthodontic conditions so that the corresponding treatment options may be easily determined.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 42, the self-assessment system in one embodiment includes a data network 4210 and a server terminal 4220 operatively coupled to the data network 4210. Moreover, one or more client terminals 4230 may be provided and operatively coupled to the data network 4210. In one embodiment, the one or more client terminals 4230 may include a personal computer, a communication enabled booth or kiosk terminal found in public areas such as shopping malls, parks, libraries, and other locations. In one embodiment, the server terminal 4220 may be configured to communicate with the one or more client terminals 4230 over the data network 4210 to receive information related to orthodontic conditions, and provide preliminary assessment related to the treatment options for the orthodontic conditions.

In one embodiment, the client terminal 4230 may include a display unit such as a computer display which may be used to visually interact with the user at the client terminal 4230 to prompt for the patient specific information related to the patient's orthodontic conditions. Using a web browser or other user interface mechanism on the display unit, for example, the patient may input the required information, and based upon which, the server terminal 4220 may be configured to provide a preliminary assessment as to whether the orthodontic conditions may be treated with aligners, and if so, whether there are doctors or clinicians in the local area (or a selected or designated area) that have the necessary skill level to perform the desired treatment. In one embodiment, the patient may be provided with one or more qualified doctors or clinicians that are qualified to treat the patient's orthodontic conditions.

Alternatively, the user may be provided with an option to be contacted by one or more doctors or clinicians (randomly predetermined or selected by the user based on information associated with the one or more doctors). In this case, the user may be prompted to consent to the dissemination of the information that the user has provided at the client terminal 4230, and upon consent by the user, the user specific information received from the client terminal 4230 may be transmitted to one or more doctors or clinicians that are qualified to treat the user's orthodontic conditions.

FIG. 43 illustrates an example user interface for receiving user dental condition information in the system of FIG. 42. Referring to FIG. 43, the user display interface 4300 may include a plurality of fields for data input by the user. For example, the user may be prompted to provide the user's name information in the data field 4301. Further, as shown by the display area 4302 prompting the user to select what the user wishes to treat, the user is also provided with a plurality of selectable orthodontic conditions shown in the display area 4303.

Referring to FIG. 43, each of the selectable orthodontic conditions shown in the display area 4303 may include a text description of the condition and/or a visual graphic description of the associated condition. For example, in one embodiment, for the crooked smile condition, the text “Crooked Smile” may be followed by an image or an icon that is displayed along side the text and which show a display of an example crooked smile. Furthermore, the client terminal 4230 in one embodiment may include a mirror or a similar device which will assist the user to visually inspect the user's dental characteristics when inputting information related to the user's dental conditions.

Within the scope of the present invention, the number of prompts or questions provided to the user may include more or less than the number of questions or user input fields shown in FIG. 43. Moreover, the user interface display 4300 in one embodiment of the client terminal 4230 may include additional information, such as, for example, but not limited to, the approximate treatment duration, approximate cost estimate associated with the treatment, options related to the type of dental appliances that may be used, and profile information of the doctors or clinicians that are qualified to perform the treatment.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, a summary of the preliminary user assessment may be provided at the client terminal 4230 (FIG. 42) in a print out format or any other types of data transfer, including for example, a wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth, infrared, and the like) to the user's mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, laptop computer, or any other type of data receiving device such as a portable storage unit including, for example, a compact memory device.

In one embodiment, the summary of preliminary user assessment provided to the user, for example, at the client terminal 4230 (FIG. 42) may include the final outcome of the treatment of the one or more dental conditions or complaints which the user has identified. More specifically, the user may be provided with images displayed on the client terminal 3240 of the what the user's would look like after completing the dental treatment, for example, using Invisalign® aligners.

Referring back to FIGS. 42-43, in one embodiment, the user inputted information may be provided to one or more qualified doctors or clinicians to whom the user has consented to share the information, for example. In this case, the user information related to the user's orthodontic conditions may be provided to the one or more qualified doctors or clinicians prior to the user's visit to the one or more qualified doctors or clinicians. In this case, the one or more doctors or clinicians may be better informed of the patient's particular conditions so as to provide more efficient or effective counseling or treatment information related to the treatment of the user's orthodontic conditions.

In still a further embodiment, the user may be provided with an option to schedule an appointment with the selected doctor or clinician using, for example, a calendaring tool which has access to at least a portion of the appointment schedule of the qualified doctors or clinicians. In such a case, the user may be presented with an open schedule for the selected doctor or clinician from which, the user may select an appointment time. In one embodiment, the user selection of the appointment time is communicated (for example, by electronic mail, a page, or by adding an entry in the selected doctor's calendar) to the selected doctor or clinician, and further, the selected doctor or clinician may be provided with the user's inputted information which may include, a treatment summary information preliminarily identifying the user's primary dental treatment objective, the selection of one or more conditions that the user has identified, and the treatment plan information generated and provided to the user.

In yet another aspect, the user may input at the client terminal 4230 (FIG. 42), for example, a request to be contacted by the selected one or more qualified doctors or clinicians, which may be communicated to the selected one or more qualified doctor or clinicians for follow up.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment procedure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 44, at step 4410, one or more dental conditions are selected, for example, using the user interface display 4300 (FIG. 43). Thereafter, one or more treatment goal information associated with the dental conditions are received at step 4420. Upon selection of a desired treatment goal at step 4430, treatment summary information is received at step 4440. In one embodiment, the treatment summary information may include one or more of a visual display on a client terminal or a paper print out including the patient specific information such as the patient's conditions, the desired goal, and the options related to the treatment such as, the type of appliances that may be used, the anticipated cost of treatment, list of qualified clinicians or doctors that may perform the treatment, and the like.

Referring back to FIG. 44, in one embodiment, the step of receiving treatment goal associated with the dental condition may be bypassed, and instead, after or at substantially the same as selecting the initial dental conditions, the desired treatment goal information may be provided. In this manner, the user may not be required to have an in depth clinical understanding of the orthodontic conditions, but rather, using simple descriptive prompts in combination with visual representation of dental conditions, the user may accurately determine the user's dental conditions.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an orthodontic self-assessment procedure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 45, at step 4510, a new user or candidate access is detected. Thereafter, dental condition information is prompted for input from the user at step 4520. In one embodiment, the new candidate access request detected at step 4510 may optionally include existing candidate access request such that returning users that have already provided user specific information may retrieve the existing user profile instead of generating a new profile.

Referring to FIG. 45, at step 4530 one or more databases is queried based on the dental information received in response to the dental condition information prompt. That is, based on the user specific dental condition information, the one or more databases are searched to locate any previously treated (for example, treated to completion) cases that have characteristics that are similar to the user's dental condition information received. In one embodiment, the similarity of the user's dental condition information or orthodontic condition compared to prior treated cases may be predefined to include certain parameters that are either identical or substantially similar, while other parameters may be defined to be less similar.

Referring again to FIG. 45, after the database query, one or more treatment information based on the query is generated and output at step 4540, for example to the client terminal 4230 (FIG. 42). Thereafter, optionally, additional treatment information selection may be received. That is, user provided selection of treatment information such as the selection of a particular doctor or a clinician, or the user consent information providing permission to share the user related information including user dental condition information may be received at step 4550. At step 4560, treatment summary information is generated and output for example, to the client terminal 4230 (FIG. 42).

In the manner described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a client terminal may be located at a convenient location for public access, and further, wherein a user interface on the client terminal may be provided to guide users with dental conditions or those seeking orthodontic treatment to perform a simple self-assessment to determine a preliminary indication or determination of the appropriate and achievable orthodontic treatments.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating image selection process for patient orthodontic condition determination in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 46 and in conjunction with FIGS. 35A-35C, a first image selection is detected at step 4610. Thereafter, an enlarged image corresponding to the selected first image is displayed at the predetermined display area, for example, in the predefined selection area 3402 (FIGS. 35A-35C). At step 4630 a second image selection is detected, and thereafter, the displayed enlarged image in the predetermined display area is replaced with an enlarged image corresponding to the second selected image at step 4640. In one embodiment, this routine may be repeated for additional image selection, and based upon which the predetermined display area may be configured to refresh or change the displayed enlarged image to correspond to the most current selected image.

In one embodiment, the predetermined display area may be configured to refresh or change the displayed enlarged image such that there is substantially no temporal overlap between the current and new images for display in the predetermined display area. Alternatively, the predetermined display area may be configured to overlay or overlap the current and the new images for a predetermined time period. In this manner, within the scope of the present invention, the predetermined display area may be configured to highlight or provide the differences between the two images such that the user, during the image review and selection process, may be able to select the most accurate image which corresponds to the user's orthodontic condition.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating the treatment plan parameter modification in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 47, at step 4710 treatment plan information corresponding to a patient orthodontic condition and associated treatment goal is provided. Thereafter at step 4720 a modification selection request is detected. That is, a request to change one or more parameters associated with the provided treatment plan information (such as, for example, the associated treatment difficulty rating) is detected. Referring back to FIG. 47, based on the detected modification selection request, at step 4730 modified treatment plan information is determined or generated. For example, if a modification selection request for changing the treatment difficulty rating is detected at step 4720, a corresponding modification to the treatment plan information is determined and thereafter, provided to the user at step 4740.

In one embodiment, the routine described above in conjunction with FIG. 47 may be repeated based on the modification selection requests detected. With each modification selection request, corresponding treatment plan information may be modified. In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, users may be provided with a robust and dynamic system for assessing orthodontic conditions and treatment options related to the orthodontic conditions.

In this manner, in one embodiment, the process of generating a prescription for orthodontic treatments may be simplified such that, using existing template information or generating an appropriate template associated with a specific treatment goal, certain information may be retrieved and pre-filled into the prescription form template, for example, the information that is associated with the patient's initial orthodontic condition, while other relevant information may be prompted for input from the user. In one embodiment, the user may store the prescription information in the predefined template display format such that the user may retrieve the predefined template display for future treatment of similar types of cases. In a further aspect, the predefined template display may be associated with a particular one or more of an indexed or categorized value or score of the patient's initial dental conditions, with the treatment goal, or with any other customizable characteristics, such that the user may retrieve the predefined template display for subsequent similar cases for treatment.

Systems and methods are disclosed providing a database comprising a compendium of at least one of patient treatment history; orthodontic therapies, orthodontic information and diagnostics; employing a data mining technique for interrogating said database for generating an output data stream, the output data stream correlating a patient malocclusion with an orthodontic treatment; and applying the output data stream to improve a dental appliance or a dental appliance usage.

The achieved outcome, if measured, is usually determined using a set of standard criteria such as by the American Board of Orthodontics, against which the final outcome is compared, and is usually a set of idealized norms of what the ideal occlusion and bite relationship ought to be. Another method of determining outcome is to use a relative improvement index such as PAR, IOTN, and ICON to measure degrees of improvement as a result of treatment.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mining relationships in treatment outcome and using the mined data to enhance treatment plans or enhance appliance configurations in a process of repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. The invention can operate to define how repositioning is accomplished by a series of appliances or by a series of adjustments to appliances configured to reposition individual teeth incrementally. The invention can be applied advantageously to specify a series of appliances formed as polymeric shells having the tooth-receiving cavities, that is, shells of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,893.

A patient's teeth are repositioned from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement by making a series of incremental position adjustments using appliances specified in accordance with the invention. In one implementation, the invention is used to specify shapes for the above-mentioned polymeric shell appliances. The first appliance of a series will have a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement. The appliance is intended to be worn until the first intermediate arrangement is approached or achieved, and then one or more additional (intermediate) appliances are successively placed on the teeth. The final appliance has a geometry selected to progressively reposition teeth from the last intermediate arrangement to a desired final tooth arrangement.

The invention specifies the appliances so that they apply an acceptable level of force, cause discomfort only within acceptable bounds, and achieve the desired increment of tooth repositioning in an acceptable period of time. The invention can be implemented to interact with other parts of a computational orthodontic system, and in particular to interact with a path definition module that calculates the paths taken by teeth as they are repositioned during treatment.

In general, in one aspect, the invention provides methods and corresponding apparatus for segmenting an orthodontic treatment path into clinically appropriate substeps for repositioning the teeth of a patient. The methods include providing a digital finite element model of the shape and material of each of a sequence of appliances to be applied to a patient; providing a digital finite element model of the teeth and related mouth tissue of the patient; computing the actual effect of the appliances on the teeth by analyzing the finite elements models computationally; and evaluating the effect against clinical constraints. Advantageous implementations can include one or more of the following features. The appliances can be braces, including brackets and archwires, polymeric shells, including shells manufactured by stereo lithography, retainers, or other forms of orthodontic appliance. Implementations can include comparing the actual effect of the appliances with an intended effect of the appliances; and identifying an appliance as an unsatisfactory appliance if the actual effect of the appliance is more than a threshold different from the intended effect of the appliance and modifying a model of the unsatisfactory appliance according to the results of the comparison. The model and resulting appliance can be modified by altering the shape of the unsatisfactory appliance, by adding a dimple, by adding material to cause an overcorrection of tooth position, by adding a ridge of material to increase stiffness, by adding a rim of material along a gumline to increase stiffness, by removing material to reduce stiffness, or by redefining the shape to be a shape defined by the complement of the difference between the intended effect and the actual effect of the unsatisfactory appliance. The clinical constraints can include a maximum rate of displacement of a tooth, a maximum force on a tooth, and a desired end position of a tooth. The maximum force can be a linear force or a torsional force. The maximum rate of displacement can be a linear or an angular rate of displacement. The apparatus of the invention can be implemented as a system, or it can be implemented as a computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, having instructions operable to cause a computer to perform the steps of the method of the invention.

Among the advantages of the invention are one or more of the following. Appliances specified in accordance with the invention apply no more than orthodontically acceptable levels of force, cause no more than an acceptable amount of patient discomfort, and achieve the desired increment of tooth repositioning in an acceptable period of time. The invention can be used to augment a computational or manual process for defining tooth paths in orthodontic treatment by confirming that proposed paths can be achieved by the appliance under consideration and within user-selectable constraints of good orthodontic practice. Use of the invention to design aligners allows the designer (human or automated) to finely tune the performance of the aligners with respect to particular constraints. Also, more precise orthodontic control over the effect of the aligners can be achieved and their behavior can be better predicted than would otherwise be the case. In addition, computationally defining the aligner geometry facilitates direct aligner manufacturing under numerical control.

A computer-implemented method in one embodiment of the present invention includes projecting a first orthodontic related image at a predetermined location within a display unit, selecting a second orthodontic related image on the display unit, projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit such that a difference between the first orthodontic related image and the second orthodontic related image is displayed at the predetermined area within the display unit.

In one embodiment, projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit may include projecting the second orthodontic image within a predetermined time after projecting the first orthodontic image. Furthermore, projecting the second orthodontic image within the predetermined time after projecting the first orthodontic image may include projecting the second orthodontic image within a time that the difference between the first and second orthodontic images is shown in the predetermined area.

Further, projecting the first orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit may include projecting the first orthodontic related image during a first time period, and projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit may include projecting the second orthodontic related image during a second time period.

The first and second time periods may be substantially non-overlapping.

The first orthodontic related image may be graphically associated with the second orthodontic related image.

Also, projecting the first orthodontic related image may include projecting an enlarged state of the first orthodontic related image, and wherein projecting the second orthodontic related image includes projecting an enlarged state of the second orthodontic related image.

The method may also include toggling between projecting the first orthodontic related image and projecting the second orthodontic related image such that a difference between the first and second orthodontic related image are displayed in the predetermined area.

The second orthodontic related image may be superimposed over the first orthodontic related image in the predetermined area.

An apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention includes an input device, and a display unit operatively coupled to the input device, the display unit configured to display a first orthodontic related image at a predetermined area, the display unit further configured to replace the display of the first orthodontic related image at the predetermined area with a second orthodontic related image in response to an input command received from the input device.

The second orthodontic related image displayed at the predetermined area within the display unit may be superimposed over the first orthodontic related image at the predetermined area.

The display unit may be configured to replace the display of the first orthodontic related image with the second orthodontic related image such that the two images are substantially non-overlapping in the predetermined area.

The display unit may be further configured to display an enlarged state of the first orthodontic related image in the predetermined area, and further, wherein the display unit is further configured to display an enlarged state of the second orthodontic related image.

The display unit may be configured to replace the image displayed in the predetermined area in response to the input command received from the input device such that a difference between the first and second orthodontic related image are shown in the predetermined area when the displayed images are being replaced.

Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and method of operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the present invention and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. 

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: projecting a plurality of reference images at a first area within a display unit, wherein each of the plurality of reference images represents a different state of an orthodontic condition to enable selection of one or more of the plurality of reference images that represent a patient's state of the orthodontic condition, wherein each of the plurality of reference images are projected in a same view, and wherein each different state represents a level of severity of the orthodontic condition; selecting a first reference image of the plurality of reference images on the display unit; projecting the first reference image at a second area within the display unit; selecting a second reference image of the plurality of reference images on the display unit; projecting the second reference image at the second area within the display unit such that a difference between the first reference image and the second reference image is displayed at the second area within the display unit; and toggling between projecting the first reference image and projecting the second reference image such that the first reference image is displayed in the second area for a first time period and the second reference image is displayed in the second area for a second time period, wherein the first time period and the second time period at least partially overlap.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein projecting the second image at the second area within the display unit includes projecting the second image within a predetermined time after projecting the first image.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein projecting the second image within the predetermined time after projecting the first image includes projecting the second image within a time that the difference between the first and second images is shown in the predetermined area.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second time periods completely overlap.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising projecting the first and second images as outline profiles of the respective first and second images.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image is graphically associated with the second image.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein projecting the first image includes projecting an enlarged state of the first image, and wherein projecting the second image includes projecting an enlarged state of the second image.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the second image is superimposed over the first image in the second area.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the first image and/or the second reference image in varying degrees of translucency.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising projecting the first and second reference images as shadow profiles of the respective first and second images.
 11. An apparatus, comprising: an input device; and a display unit operatively coupled to the input device, the display unit configured to: display a plurality of reference images at a first area, wherein each of the plurality of reference images represents a different state of an orthodontic condition to enable selection of one or more of the plurality of reference images that represent a patient's state of the orthodontic condition, wherein each of the plurality of reference images are displayed in a same view, and wherein each different state represents a level of severity of the orthodontic condition; display a first image of the plurality of reference images at a second area with a second image of the plurality of reference images superimposed thereon in response to an input command received from the input device; and adjust the display of the first reference image and/or the second reference image in varying degrees of translucency such that a difference between the first reference image and the second reference image is displayed at the second area.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the display unit is configured to display the plurality of reference images at the first area in response to a selection of the orthodontic condition made via the input device.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first reference image is graphically associated with the second reference image.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display unit is further configured to display an enlarged state of the first reference image in the second area, and further, wherein the display unit is further configured to display an enlarged state of the second reference image.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the display unit is configured to replace the image displayed in the second area in response to the input command received from the input device such that a difference between the first and second reference images is shown in the second area when the displayed images are being replaced.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display unit is further configured to display the first reference image and/or the second reference image with shadow profile or an outline profile.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display unit is further configured to toggle between displaying the first reference image and displaying the second reference image such that a difference between the first and second reference images is displayed in the second area. 